Edgar Chairez may have delivered the breakthrough performance of his UFC career on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 118.
The Mexican flyweight stopped Bruno Silva in impressive fashion, proving he belongs among the division’s rising contenders before immediately setting his sights on a Top 10 opponent.
“We knew he hit hard, but I know I also hit hard. Once he hit me I felt the power didn’t hurt, but I knew I hurt him,” Chairez told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.
“After I knocked him down I just waited for my moment, and that’s how we found the finish.”
Chairez (14-6) believes his performance on Saturday night was the kind of statement victory that should launch him into the next tier of the flyweight division. After delivering one of the most impressive showings of his UFC career, the Mexican contender made it clear he’s no longer interested in taking small steps up the rankings.
“I want a top 10 fight next. Noche UFC. My performance tonight was incredible and I know I can knock anybody out,” he said.
One of the biggest motivations throughout training camp was a promise he made to his daughter. Now that the fight is over and his hand was raised, he’s finally ready to make good on it.
“She’s waiting for my this very moment because last fight I promised her we’d go to Disneyland, and we didn’t go because I had a fight a couple days later,” Chairez said with a smile.
Beyond the win itself, he lit up when talking about his family and the role martial arts has played in their lives. What started as his journey has now become something that’s inspiring the next generation of his family to follow a similar path.
“So the first thing she’s going to ask me is, “‘Are we going to Disney?’,” he said.
“She loves this sport, in fact, she has a tournament coming up in a couple weeks. I very happy that she, and my little brother, and my family are getting into the sport and becoming athletes. I was the first one in my family and I want to instill this discipline in them because this is my life now.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Edgar Chairez above.
