LAS VEGAS – Wellington Turman expects a banger of a matchup with fellow Brazilian Bruno Silva.
Turman (16-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) faces newcomer Silva (19-6 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC on ESPN 25 on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
It’s been a while since either fighter has competed. Turman had a tough battle with COVID-19, and Silva served a two-year suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, so Turman thinks they’ll both be eager to put on a show.
“He’s a very good guy, tough guy,” Turman told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 25 media day. “He’s a striker, I’m a jiu-jitsu fighter – so clash of styles. I’m very motivated. Three years, he hasn’t fought, and I’m one-year layoff with COVID. So we’re both willing to give it all, and maybe ‘Fight of the Night.’”
Having lost two of his past three, Turman’s UFC tenure didn’t kick off the way he wanted it to. The 24-year-old is eager to prove he belongs among the middleweight elite starting with a strong showing against Silva.
“Every fight is very important in my career, but this is special,” Turman said. “I have dreams to fight for the UFC belt one day, so I need to prove that I’m ready. The UFC gave me a new contract after my last fight, so even coming off a loss they gave me a new deal. So they believe in me, and I need to prove that I’m ready for the next step.”