Samuel Caveira is the new Cage Warriors champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Straight from Tefé, in the interior of Amazonas, Samuel Silva, better known as 'Caveira', became the first Brazilian to win a title in the English organization Cage Warriors. Representing Brazilian TKO and fighting in the lightweight division (up to 70,3kg), the fighter is riding a five-fight winning streak and says he is ready to make his UFC debut.
In an exclusive interview to SUPER FIGHTS, Samuel told what it was like to receive a last-minute call to fight for the belt in Cage Warriors. Previously playing in the LFA, the Amazonian, in his first fight in the organization, ended up having the chance to become the new champion of the category.
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“We at Brazilian TKO have a philosophy of always being ready, of living the life of an athlete. I was an LFA athlete and I was already expecting to fight this weekend in Brasilia. It didn’t happen, I was coming off two wins, I was supposed to fight for the belt, but it turned out that there was no agreement with the belt holder and we were left without a fight. I continued training, I was ready to fight (…) when Bernardo (Serale), my manager, called me to tell me about this opportunity, I was happy and knew I was going to win.”
Samuel Caveira in victory over George Hardwick. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @caveiramma
Fighting in enemy territory
Scheduled to face George Hardwick, then Cage Warriors champion and born in England, Caveira stated that he was aware of the need to star in a fight that would not leave the judges in doubt, in order to avoid controversial scores.
“Of course, we are always afraid (of a controversial score in a fight in the opponent’s country). But during the fight I already knew that I had done everything I needed to win. So when I knocked him down and took his back in the fourth round, I knew I had won. If the judges had given him (the fight), it would have been a huge scam (…) of course, beforehand it is always scary, this pressure on Brazilians to end fights because fighting in their opponent’s home country is complicated”
No bad weather
Unlike many fighters, Caveira assured that he is ready for big fights that require energy and disposition while facing the opponent.
“I was already ready. In my mind, I have always been a belt fighter. I have always trained for five rounds, as I had been thinking about fighting for the LFA belt for a while, I had been training for a long time and thinking about this five-round fight. I have good energy, I grow as the fight goes on. I have always seen myself fighting five rounds and fighting well.”
Samuel Caveira next to George Hardwick after the fight. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @caveiramma
Consequences of a fighter's life
Born in Amazonas, Caveira currently lives in Curitiba. Away from his parents for 11 years, the fighter reflected on the sacrifices that need to be made to reach the spotlight in a sport that demands a lot from the athlete.
“For me, it’s priceless. I still remember my first interview and I said that my biggest motivation has always been my parents. Their situation, the way I was raised and that I just wanted to make them proud. I’ve been living away from them for 11 years, without a doubt, that’s my biggest reason. They’re there in Tefé, in the interior of Amazonas, Seu Beto and Dona Zilmara, waiting for me. Without a doubt, that’s what makes me get up, or actually jump, out of bed every day.”
Ready for UFC
Known for his violent style and for seeking spectacle in his appearances, Samuel does not hesitate to comment on his eagerness to receive an invitation from the UFC. A former representative of the LFA, a partner league of the Ultimate, the fighter revealed that he is already in contact with representatives to finally step into the octagon.
“Without a doubt, I believe that my possibilities have increased a lot. They were already very big. We already had feedback from the UFC last year, when I had my last fight in the LFA (…) I think that winning this belt makes me a different guy in the race. It was everything I needed: a world belt. This certainly puts me in the spotlight (…) Sean Shelby will look fondly on this fight. He has already given me good feedback, that he likes me, my fighting style, that I finish fights, so I believe that there is nothing left. I believe that I have already done enough for the UFC to notice me and I will wait patiently until they call me.”
Samuel Caveira is inspired by Alex Poatán. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @caveiramma
When finishing his speech, the Brazilian demonstrated an understanding of how the UFC's demands work and stated that he is the ideal fighter to meet the demands.
“The UFC is the World Cup. To stand out, you have to have something special. So I believe I feel ready for this, for the show, for the people shouting, for the interviews, for the trash talk, which is necessary nowadays, even though it is not cultural for Brazilians. When I get to the UFC, they will see right away that I am a different guy.”
Rematch against Elves Brener
Defeated by partner Charles of the Bronx, Caveira preached respect for Elves, but also highlighted his desire to gain a second opportunity to avenge the defeat suffered at the beginning of his career.
“I was a reserve for a fight (with Elves), unfortunately he didn’t choose me and I understand that too. We talk, we exchange ideas and it’s definitely a fight I really want. If it happens in the UFC I’ll be very happy. I’ve always thought I have all the weapons to beat him. When we faced each other we were just starting out, it was a really tough fight, a war. I think he knocked me out at the end of the third round, but it was a really good fight. I feel like I lost to myself. Of course he did a good job, he knocked me out, but there were things that influenced it and I feel more mature. Nowadays it would be very different if we met. If I ever get to the UFC to make my debut or a second fight, facing him would definitely be wonderful.”
Brazilian TKO Student
Pupil of master André Dida and alongside names such as Bruno Blindado, Milson Castro and Brendson Ribeiro, Samuel recognized the importance of training at the renowned academy alongside so many talents.
“It changed my life. We in Amazonas are very deprived of the culture of being a champion. Everything is very distant, we don’t have the opportunity to train with a guy who was already a champion or who has already set foot where we want to go. I started to spend time with champions and that got into my head like: ‘if they did it, I can do it too. The guy has two legs, two arms, it’s nothing special, I can do it too’ (…) Training with these guys, Bruno Blindado, Bruno Hulk, Brendson Ribeiro shows that hard work pays off”
Samuel Caveira next to his manager Bernardo Serale. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @caveiramma
Importance of the entrepreneur
Assisted by Bernardo Serale, creator of WM Sports and representative of other talents in MMA, the Amazonian recalled the beginning of his relationship with one of those responsible for taking him to the belt.
“Bernardo was a businessman of Sergio Moraes and Blindado at the time and I was managed by another at the time (Fabio Lau). When he came up with the idea of opening WM Sports at the gym, he formed a partnership with Fabio Lau who invested in me. We quickly connected (…) Bernardo is sinister, he does very serious work. The term 'businessman' is somewhat marginalized, but Bernardo does very serious work.”
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