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That’s why Silva didn’t blink when his manager informed him that he had the opportunity to step into a high-profile bout with ranked lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan.
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“I check my phone and I see my message from my manager, and I look at the message and go ‘Oh my gosh! No way,’” Silva said. “I love this fight. I love this matchup. He’s a tough guy and puts my career at a different level in the UFC. I’m excited.”
Tsarukyan was originally slated to fight Renato Moicano in a UFC Fight Night main event bout, but Moicano was forced to withdraw from the fight. That’s when the UFC asked Silva to step up to the plate.
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Silva is aware that many people see Tsarukyan as one of the top rising contenders in the lightweight division. That makes his UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs Cannonier co-main event an opportunity that’s almost too good to be true.
“Arman is a tough guy. He’s No. 8,” Silva said. “He’s a dangerous guy with a good background in wrestling and in jiu jitsu. Good striking and he’s a young guy. He’s a tough fight, it’s a big challenge, and a big opportunity.”