EAC 5 Interview – Jacob Silva discusses February 23rd title clash with James DeHerrera on BCS vs. Houston card

HOUSTON, TX, February 14, 2013 – We recently caught up with Jacob ‘Lil Animal’ Silva of Silverback Fight Club regarding his upcoming title fight at CDM’s Elite Amateur Combat 5 event happening LIVE in College Station, TX on Saturday, February 23^rd. Putting some of Houston’s amateurs against their counterparts from Bryan-College Station, this one should be quite entertaining as fighters from the two cities vie for bragging rights.

As for Jacob Silva (6-3), he’ll be competing in the main event of the evening against a familiar opponent in James DeHerrera (5-3) of Windy Sports and Fitness. The two first fought back in January of last year at Cage Combat 7 with Silva winning by third round TKO.  Now they’ll reprise this fight after another year’s worth of experience to see which of these two experienced fighters come out on top. With 17 fights in between them, this fight should be telling as to which one of the two could be getting close to ready to step into the pro ranks later this year.

Here’s Jacob’s thoughts on the fight as he goes for his fourth amateur title win.

EAC 5 Interview – Jacob Silva (Silverback Fight Club)

Jacob, describe your amateur MMA career for us so far.

I started fighting by accident. My current record stands at a strong 6-3. My career has been a roller coaster. I’ve held every amateur promotion belt in Houston at different times and currently hold The EAC flyweight title. Right now my mind set is to beat my next opponent. That’s all I’m really concerned about. I would like to collect all the amateur belts, finish up as an amateur with Legacy Amateur Series then go pro with them.

What’s the hardest thing about being a fighter for you?

My life is a hand full. I work 50 hours a week, train 15 hours a week, and have to keep my wife and daughter happy as well. Fighting isn’t a full time thing right now due to me being an amateur. But then again there are some pro fighters can’t do it full time either. The cost of living is too high. Most people knows that I have a daughter and she been with me though my first fight and will be until my last. It’s hard being away from her but my wife will lets me know if I’m spending too much time at the gym or not.

Also personally during class I lose focus sometimes. I start playing around asking dumbass questions like “why is a cross-face called a cross-face if your arm goes behind his head when you’re in side control.” That’s just part of it.

What is it about fighting that draws you in?

I love seeing who the better man is in the cage. It’s like an ego thing. Maybe it’s because I’m little but that’s how I feel about it. I’ll give 110% to anything I do. I honestly don’t know what I would be doing if it was for fighting. It’s become such a big part of my life. But if I get hired on as firefighter and they tell me to stop fighting, then I’ll stop fighting.

Let’s talk about your upcoming fight. What’s up with this fight with James DeHerrera?

I fought him after I lost my Cage Combat belt to Joe Trevino. I won our last match by TKO in the third round. That fight was one of my hardest but I’m sure it was one of his also. I’m training hard because I know he wants his first belt and there is a little grudge between us.

Who’s been helping you get ready and how has training been?

Training has been tough. Hell it’s tough when I’m NOT getting ready for a fight. <laughs> I have a few injuries but nobody is never 100% going into a fight. My first objective in getting ready for any fight is my cardio. The guys at the gym hate when I run the cardio class. I’m trying to kill myself so I know I’m killing them. Since my brother Leroy Shafer stopped fighting Manny lozoya been a big help. He is the closest one to my weight class and he always come read to bang. But since Elias J. (E.J.) started coming he gives me a better look at what I have coming February. He has speed and cardio and he don’t stop. But then there’s always the bigger guys who beat me up and make me tougher too. Lil Tony, Scotty, John (Chile), Edgar, Nacho, White Assassin… They all help me out. They all bring a different look when it comes to sparing and rolling. We got a good camp over here at Silverback.

How do you see this fight playing out? What’s next after this?

I always try to picture what will happen first. In this fight, somebody is going to get finished or submitted. James has never went five rounds with in any of his fights. He only fought twice at 125 and is 0-2 in this weight class. Ryan Hollis showed him what that ground work is like when they fought. I’ve been in two five rounds fights. It’s not that easy.

After this fight I really don’t have anything line-up. I had a couple of fight promotions (SCC, LAS) wanting me to fight for them but I had to refuse and tell them it depends on how this fight ends up. This will be a tough ass fight. I would like to go pro this year. Maybe Mick will give me the chance.

Any last words before February 23^rd in Bryan-College Station?

I want to thank Coach Tony. He does a lot for us at the gym. He is the only coach there and it’s hard for one coach to coach pro and ammy fighters. All my brothers at the gym – Scotty, Edgar Verdin, Lil’ Tony, Monte, Lil Henry, Big Henry, Kolton, Manny, Nacho, Jeff, Chile… These guys are the ones who help me get ready for war. Good luck to Derrick Lewis, Dale Mitchell and Larry Crowe, on their upcoming fights March 1st with Legacy and also Ben and Mark who are also fighting February 23rd. I also want to thank my wife for letting me keep going in this fight career. All the wives and girlfriends that understand what it takes for a fighter to get ready for a fight know we spend a lot of time away from our families but it’s worth it at the end.

Thanks to my sponsors: Migraine Records (Robert Clark and Levi), St. Michael’s Emergency Room with Dr. Orsak, Joseph Bible with Bloodhound, Larry Hopkins with Oxygen for Energy, Jorge Lerado with Caballeros Barber Shop at Northwest Mall, and my man Ishmael “Izzy” Ramirez. Thanks to Revolotus Fight Gear and Wu-MMA. And thanks to everybody at TXMMA.com.