The extra time to prepare for an athlete like Silva is essential for Dalby to find success in the Octagon. Facing a high-level grappler in “Hannibal,” who has earned nine submissions in his 14 wins as a pro, Silva isn’t a fighter that Dalby wants to actively engage with on the ground, but he’s prepared for that possibility.
“I prepare for a guy like my opponent by doing a crazy ton of sparring with amazing jiu-jitsu guys and try and have them rip off my limbs,” Dalby said.
UFC Returns To Abu Dhabi With Lightweight Championship On The Line
If the last UFC London event, UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs Aspinall, had any insight on how the atmosphere will be inside The O2, then Dalby can expect the noisiest crowd he’s competed in front of.
But Dalby is able to put that aside and focus on his one goal of just getting the win. Despite never finishing an opponent inside the Octagon, playing with fire isn’t something “Danish Dynamite” wants to do against Silva, and he plans to execute enough patience to outlast the Brazilian.
“The fans can expect to see a very measured Nicolas Dalby. My opponent is very dangerous and he wants me to rush in on things, so I’m going to keep my distance, pick him apart, make him get tired [and] make mistakes, and then I’m going to capitalize and finish him.”