While no opponent has been announced for his debut, one person Silva would like to fight is former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor Belfort.
“Here’s the challenge I wanted to have at Bare Knuckle. I sent one of the promoters an audio clip, they’re offering quite the amount, an impressive amount of cash, more than what I’m making. I told them I really wanted to fight, but against a particular guy. I would accept if I could face Vitor Belfort. Bare knuckles, five two-minute rounds, only boxing. I want to see if he’s a man or if he’ll run. We found the right place to settle one of the sport’s oldest rivalries. What’s up, Vitor? Are you in or are you going to run?,” Silva told AG Fight.
Belfort and Silva met back in their MMA days at UFC 17.5 in October of 1998, with Belfort scoring a first round TKO win.
Silva also plans on using the Bare Knuckle FC platform to settle some of his beefs with other fighters.
“About Bare Knuckle, I was invited to make an appearance there. I was invited to watch Gabriel ‘Napao’ (Gonzaga) fight Antonio ‘Pezao’ (Bigfoot Silva). They pull some interesting numbers. I think I have finally found the perfect stage to settle all my beefs in the sport. You can only use your hands in bare knuckle boxing,” says Silva.
There has been no response yet from Belfort to the challenge from Silva, but Belfort recently did sign a deal with One Championship.
