CBS Sports - Irvin leaps at chance to tangle with Silva
There are fighters who say they'll fight anyone and others who actually will. James Irvin belongs to the latter and jumped at the chance to take on Anderson Silva this Saturday night in Las Vegas at UFC Fight Night.
There are fighters who say they'll fight anyone and others who actually will. James Irvin belongs to the latter and jumped at the chance to take on Anderson Silva this Saturday night in Las Vegas at UFC Fight Night.
On July 19, Irvin hopes to knock out Silva 'eventually.' (UFC) "The Sandman" is in the most significant bout in his career against a man who is considered by many as the pound for pound best fighter on the planet. He's had some huge highs and big lows in the UFC, and Saturday night, Irvin looks to try and reach another climax by spoiling Silva's light heavyweight debut.
Q: What was your first reaction when you were asked to fight Anderson Silva?
Irvin: I was head over heels, I was just like, "Where do I sign? Can I sign right now?" I just figured there would be a bunch of other fighters banging on the door and that actually wasn't the case, there was actually quite a few guys who turned the fight down and wanted nothing to do with this guy whatsoever. I find it kind of humorous that when Joe Rogan does interviews with the fighters afterwards everyone's like, "I'll fight anyone the UFC puts in front of me and I just want to fight the best." Bulls***, obviously not.