At 3-2 and 2-1 respectively on the amateur circuit, both these fighters have their own aspirations to be called the best flyweight on the amateur circuit.
Silverback’s Silva recently defeated James DeHerrera at Cage Combat 7 and his only losses have come to current Legacy 135 / Cage Combat 125 champion Joe Trevino. Meanwhile, Hugo Delafuente has won two in a row headed into this bout with his only loss being a TKO at the hands of the aforementioned Turcios in his amateur debut.
For both, Saturday’s fight will be telling as winning this fight means a potential 125 lbs. title shot at Legacy some time later in 2012 while a loss would bring the unfortunate fighter back down to the bottom of the ladder as far as contention goes.
We recently spoke to Hugo Delafuente to get his thoughts on this upcoming fight and what ti means for him.
Interview – Hugo Delafuente
First of all Hugo, tell us a little bit about where and when you started training.
I started training about two and a half years ago over at Bushi Ban working mostly on jiu-jitsu, but eventually my Latin blood got the best of me and I started to love boxing and the whole standup game. Before I trained all I did was party and video games (but mostly games)
Training has really kept me fit through all the food I eat and given me an outlet for all the raw energy I’ve had since childhood. I was one extremely energetic and mobile kid. I just started working for Bushi Ban and Master Zulfi so other work wouldn’t interrupt my training, handling all the children and young mixed martial artist that go to the school though is quite a task <laughs>
What would be doing with your time if you didn’t spend so much time in the gym?
My days would be a lot more emptier without MMA and training to be honest, Training takes up about 50%-70% of my day and fighting gives me the drive to do better and better myself.
What some of your goals in MMA for 2012?
My goals for 2012 would be to win a belt, fight 5+ times, and hopefully fight out of state again! Also, I maybe take a fight at 135 <laughs> I like eating and if I can eat all the way to my fight I’d be happy.
Anything else you want to accomplish outside the cage this year?
I would love to finally pick a field to study in, I still haven’t made a choice on which classes I should take in college and I really want to move out <laughs>
It feels great to finally have a fight back in Houston, my last fight being in Louisiana was fun with the traveling and all but it’s nice being able to train 30 minutes away from where I’m going to fight.
What are your thoughts on being matched up with Jacob Silva?
I really respect my opponent Jacob Silva, he’s tough and resilient but I honestly think that I could finish him standing or on the ground, watching his most recent fight he has heart but nothing too impressive to me. I however, expect a war.
Any predictions as far as how this fight will end?
I predict my hand being raised and then followed quickly by an equally entertaining victory dance as I celebrate my (Fight of the night) win on the 21st. Also there will be a luchador mask at some point.
Any last words before this Saturday?
I’d like to thank my sister, the one who supports me the most and goes to all of my fights, I’d like to thank all of my family and friends and training partners at Bushi Ban for beating me up on a daily basis, Master Zulfi, Jesse Vasquez, Alex Black, and I’d like to thank any promoters out there who’d like to pay me!!! Seriously I want that payday! Haha!
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