'Memories of the dog that became my friend growing up'
Faces Delgado at UFC Fight Night
UFC featherweight rising star Jozeene Silva, 29, of Brazil, is known for a peculiar ritual inside the cage: a "dog bark" performance. Just before the bell, he crouches down, stares at his opponent and lets out a "woof" so convincing that fans could mistake it for the real thing.
Fans have long enjoyed the antics without quite understanding why he does it, dismissing it as either an attempt to intimidate opponents like a rabid dog or simply an exaggerated bit of eccentricity befitting his "Fighting Nerds" team.
Silva has now revealed the story behind his signature bark. In a recent interview with the combat sports outlet Spinning Backfist, he said the habit traces back to his school days, when he bonded with a Rottweiler that became his only real friend.
"I did not have many friends in school, but my brother had a Rottweiler. That dog became a really good friend," he said. "Who has not barked back at a dog at least once? It just became a habit over time. The barking is a pretty instinctive thing for me."
Silva, who holds a 17-3 record and has gone 6-1 in the UFC since arriving through Dana White's Contender Series, is considered a strong contender for a future title shot. With 15 finishes, including 12 by knockout, his aggressive style has pleased both the promotion and fans alike.
He will bark once more in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). The bout against the surging Jose Delgado marks the biggest stage of his career, and a win could move him a step closer to a title shot.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
