"... is a very, very good opportunity for me for me to fight for the title. I think after I beat Rampage, it may be possible I fight with the champion.... I train and spar with Forrest, I am his best sparring partner and he is mine. It is sad situation, to train with some guys it is possible I will have to fight in the future, but it is no problem. I am a professional and he is a professional. I like him, he is a very nice guy. Outside the Octagon, I am his friend, but inside the Octagon it is a business, a job."
-- Former Pride FC middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva tells Fighters Only magazine that he could earn a title shot with a win over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 92: "The Ultimate 2008" on December 27. It will be their third fight -- "The Axe Murderer" won the first two back in Japan. Undefeated light heavyweights Lyoto Machida and Thiago Silva are set to collide about at UFC 94: "St. Pierre vs. Penn 2" on January 31, meaning Silva -- who just snapped a three-fight losing skid with a first round knockout of Keith Jardine at UFC 84: "Ill Will" back in May -- would leapfrog the winner of that match as the number one contender. In addition, Griffin would have to successfully defend his 205-pound belt against Rashad Evans on New Year's Eve weekend, too. In short, it seems like a lot of things need to happen for Silva to get the next crack at the belt. But ya' never know ...