Jean Silva feels he is the one responsible for making UFC 314 more exciting.
After Jean Silva called out Bryce Mitchell following his recent victory, the UFC quickly scheduled their fight for April 12. They were both invited to a press conference in early March in Las Vegas to promote the upcoming match. During the press conference, Silva didn`t address Mitchell`s offensive Hitler comments, but instead joked about Mitchell`s flat Earth beliefs using a globe.
Silva told MMA Fighting, “This fight has become the main event for the fans because I promoted it. Let`s be honest, who is making this event interesting? The last time we saw a press conference like this was with Conor McGregor. Nobody else has done that. And it`s real. I love this, it`s what I`ve always imagined. And just wait, the next one will be even better.”
He added, “Also, Mitchell has been saying a lot of nonsense. Even Americans are supporting me because of the ridiculous things he has said. It`s all good. He`s a hillbilly. After I beat him and get my bonus and my money, we’ll have a hillbilly celebration. It’s funny because I was just at an Armenian party, and now I’m going to a hillbilly party. Great, let`s go!”
Silva mentioned that even before his win against Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Seattle, he saw social media comments urging him to defeat Mitchell because of Mitchell`s remarks. However, Silva stated he doesn`t feel any anger towards Mitchell.
“I’ve never wanted to hurt him,” Silva clarified. “I want to be very clear, I never have. From now until our fight, he’s the person I respect most. I wish him well, for his family, for his dreams to come true, and that won’t change on the 12th. His dream will come true: hands will be raised, but they won’t be his. He’s a good guy, someone who supports others, and his dream will happen on the 12th. He will definitely see someone else`s hands raised. But I never dreamed of beating him up. I`ve never felt hate for anyone I face. I don’t even see him as an opponent. He’s just someone who will work for me that day. He’ll be another step in my success. I don`t feel the hatred that others feel.”
“I understand why people are upset with the things he’s said, but I don’t hate him. It’s not in my nature. If you watch my fights, ‘Lord’ is not a coward. I don’t keep hitting someone when they can’t fight anymore. It’ll be the same this time. Bryce will give up, and Lord won’t be cruel or cowardly and keep hitting him. It`s different now. It was cool to look back at Nordic times when wars were to the death, but it`s not like that anymore. We are building a different kind of battle where an opponent can quit, tap out, or say they don`t want to fight anymore, and the fight is over. That`s what will happen. He will quit. I won’t keep hitting him because that’s not who I am. He’ll be beaten like everyone else I’ve beaten, and like others will be beaten, because I’m the best at what I do, and it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. God made it this way. I like myself, and those who don’t can complain to God.”
After the press conference, Mitchell surprisingly claimed on social media that Silva was sending “legions of demons” to haunt his dreams. Again, Silva was not bothered by these comments.
“I think he’s promoting the fight in his way,” Silva said. “We’re talking about the No. 13 ranked fighter. He’s not dumb, he knows what he’s doing, you know? Does he have some mental issues? Maybe, because of the things he’s said, but it doesn’t bother me at all. I just want him to show up on the 12th.”
“I will be bothered if he doesn’t show up, because then I’ll have to go to his gym and beat him up. He has to be there on the 12th. He can say whatever he wants, brother. He can insult my mother, my father, my wife, my son. All he has to do is show up on the 12th. Other than that, it doesn’t matter.”
