Jacob “Lil’ Animal” Silva (6-4), the reigning and defending Fury Flyweight Champion, is back to defend his title this Sunday at Fury Fighting Championship 44. Silva has been a mainstay on the Houston MMA scene for the past decade, fighting in almost every Houston area promotion. Funny enough, Silva didn’t really plan for a career in MMA.
“It was an accident really. I first went to Hoger MMA. Long story short, someone told me I wouldn’t make it in MMA, so I dipped! Then while I was attending [Houston Community College], I ran into my best friend David Armas. He was training at Silverback Fight Club. I then joined, only to get in shape for the Fire Academy at HCC. After 2 months of training, Coach Tony asked if I wanted to fight. I told him no. He eventually talked me into it.”
That first fight ended up being a title fight, which saw Silva go the distance in a very competitive fight. He would go on to have a successful amateur career that saw him win several titles before turning pro in 2014. It didn’t start off well, with Silva losing his first two fights. Then he made changes, such as joining Metro Fight Club and training under Saul Soliz who has coached Tito Ortiz, Ricco Rodriguez, Gabi Garcia and current Fury Bantamweight Champion Leomana Martinez.
“[To be honest], when I joined Metro Fight Club, I really didn’t know who he was. I didn’t know his background. I only went because I had friends training there. After my first fight under him, I later found out about his coaching background and we clicked too. He’s a hardass coach and that’s [the] type of coaching I need.”
Silva would go on a six-fight tear that saw him finish all six opponents, capturing and defending the Fury Flyweight Title. This would earn him two fights on the Dana White’s Contender Series.
“The DWCS was special. Everything was not expected. The UFC was so organized and had everything planned down to the minute. The experience was cool. I was a bit in awe at first. Then as my fight got closer and closer, that stuff didn’t matter. A cage is a cage. I went there to do a job, and I believe I got it done. Just didn’t get the W!”
It’s been just over a year since Silva has stepped in the Fury cage, and this time he will defend his title against the dangerous CJ Vergara (7-2-1). These two were scheduled to face before the pandemic, but now the stars have aligned to determine the best Fury flyweight.
“I really don’t know him. I know we’ve fought some of the same guys. We’ve finished some of the same guys. My coach coached his coach. We did a face off last year before COVID... then I got called to the DWCS. I know he’s ready, I know I’m ready!”
Fury FC 44 marks the debut of Fury on UFC Fight Pass, and Silva and Vergara will serve as the main event.
“Being the Main Event in the First UFC Fight Pass card for Fury is pretty amazing. I feel honored! I’ve been fighting for Eric Garcia my whole MMA career now. I think it’s really a ‘thank you’ from him. I won’t let him down as the main event!”
Even though the hard-hitting Silva is an animal in the cage, he has had his struggles and is thankful for his team that supports him so he can continue his dream.
“If anyone is dealing with speech problems, please feel free to contact me. I’ve been stuttering my whole life. I use to get picked on growing up. I know bullies are real and it can get depressing. I’ve been there and I’ve overcame all that! Just know things will get better! I wanna thank all my teammates at Metro Fight Club and my coach, Saul Soliz. They’ve all helped me get to where I’m at now. I want to thank all my sponsors, the real heroes behind the scenes. They’ve all helped me one way or another. Jaron Black at Drip Dynamic, Shannon Orsak at St. Michael’s Elite Emergency Room, Daniel Leal at Acomer Tacos, Tommy Mingledorff with Mingledorff Law Firm, Juan Lira at Contour Athletics, Sam Jimenez, Ruben at Rich Kid & Co. (Their rap music is off the chain), and Mike Trinh at Mike’s Seafood.”
Fury Fighting Championship goes down this Sunday, March 7, at the Bayou Event Center in Houston, TX and live on UFC Fight Pass! Headlined by three title fights, with Jacob Silva defending his flyweight title against CJ Vergara. It’s a fight you don’t want to miss.