Fabian Edwards has faced defeat only twice in the last four years, both times in championship contests against Johnny Eblen in Bellator and PFL. Interestingly, Josh Silveira, set to compete against Edwards in a tournament semifinal this Friday at PFL 7, was the very person who imitated Edwards during Eblen`s training camps at American Top Team in Florida.
“I was him,” Silveira revealed in an interview. “I played his role in Johnny’s training because I`m also a southpaw. I understand his approach and I`ve already studied him extensively. If he believes this fight will be easy, that works in my favor. I welcome that idea. I am confident I`m not an easy opponent and I`m fully prepared for a tough battle.”
Despite his experience mirroring Edwards` style for Eblen over the past couple of years, Silveira contends he has very little in common with the British competitor.
“It’s challenging to replicate him because he tends to avoid takedowns and doesn`t consistently apply pressure,” Silveira explained. “Conversely, I am a fighter who applies pressure. For Johnny, I copied his kicks. He prefers to score points and finishes fights only occasionally. He doesn’t typically take opponents down or secure dominant positions like taking the back. I`ve analyzed many of his fights. He is talented, but I`m convinced I know the strategy to defeat him.”
Silveira mentioned that the undefeated Eblen provided him with critical advice during his preparations. Watching Eblen and Edwards fight showed the son of ATT founder Conan Silveira that Edwards “provided a strong challenge, so I must acknowledge his skill.”
Having never been listed as such a substantial betting underdog before, Silveira feels this situation places considerable pressure on Edwards.
“He`s a respected name, a skilled fighter, and it`s a semifinal – there’s a lot riding on this,” Silveira commented. “Comparing our records, he`s contested the belt twice against my teammate. He even defeated the fighter I lost to twice. So, looking at it on paper, some might argue, ‘This guy is superior,’ but honestly, I see us as being on a very similar level.”
The fighter who wins between Silveira and Edwards will advance to the $500,000 grand prix championship final. Their opponent will be the winner of the other semifinal bout featuring Dalton Rosta and Aaron Jeffery, also taking place the same night in Chicago.
“We`ve reached a point where the level of competition means the fights will always be demanding,” Silveira stated. “You have to discard the notion that you`ll get an easy fight; that simply doesn’t happen anymore at this level. The crucial difference now is my clear understanding of where I am in my career and how vital this opportunity is for me. I need to go there and execute my plan. I expect to feel stressed and nervous, but that’s just a normal part of the process. I am ready for this.”
“On paper, you are the predicted winner,” he continued. “Based on predictions, you will triumph, but the reality of fighting doesn`t always align with paper predictions. I`ve witnessed many expected outcomes fail to come to fruition. Ultimately, I hold immense respect for him and his family. His brother, Leon Edwards, also achieved champion status, and together they have significantly impacted the sport and represent England very well. I respect him, but I have also seen members of my own team defeat him.”
Aside from Eblen, the only fighters who have overcome Edwards were Costello van Steenis and Austin Vanderford, both securing decision victories in 2020 and 2021. Silveira observes similarities between Fabian’s style and that of his brother Leon Edwards, the former UFC welterweight champion who is currently seeking to regain momentum after recent convincing losses to Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady.
“They are effective when they are advancing and skilled in striking, but they tend to struggle when facing pressure,” Silveira noted. “My intention is to apply my pressure, force him to move backward, and find my opportunity. While I am a wrestler, I don’t always emphasize that aspect in my fights; sometimes I prefer to stand and trade blows. I will adapt during the fight, but moving forward and applying pressure will definitely be a key part of my strategy.”
“Frankly, I believe my style is a challenging match-up for him,” he added. “I am a wrestler, but I also grew up training jiu-jitsu. If I manage to get on top and secure his back, I am capable of ending the fight with a submission. He has been knocked out previously. I possess a strong chin – thankfully, I have not been knocked out before, and I`m certainly not aiming for that on the 27th. However, if the situation requires me to stand in the pocket and exchange strikes with him, I am willing to do so. Either way, it promises to be a compelling fight.”
