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MMA: Alex Silva OK to trade blows with PH's Roy Doliguez in ONE card

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/01/19/doliguez-011917.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Roy Doliguez is a former pro boxer with nearly 50 fights under his belt. Handout photo</div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA — Alex Silva, a ground-fighting specialist from Brazil, says he has no qualms engaging Filipino fighter Roy Doliguez in a striking match when they face off this Friday.The “Little Rock” will face Doliguez in the undercard of ONE: Throne of Tigers, which takes place at Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Despite coming into the fight as the heavy favorite, many cageside observers believe that a tough test awaits Silva in the standup exchanges due to his opponent’s boxing background.Doliguez is a former pro boxer with nearly 50 fights under his belt. He captured the WBO Asia Pacific light flyweight title in September 2002.“I know he has a good striking game because he is a boxer. He is also explosive and strong,” Silva said.Silva, who represents Evolve MMA, asserted that he has a fair share of knowledge in terms of delivering blows from a toe-to-toe stance.“I am very well-prepared in any situation of the fight because everyday I train and spar with the legends and world champions of Muay Thai at Evolve MMA. Roy Doliguez is a good striker, but I know I can match his skills in striking,” he said.Silva is known to be a world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner with 4 of his professional career wins coming by way of submission.Although the 34-year-old Brazilian said he is willing to stand with Doliguez, he stressed that his grappling pedigree will be his primary weapon.“I believe in my skills as I have trained hard in all aspect for the fight. But for sure, my Brazilian jiu-jitsu background is something special because I have been training that discipline for my whole life. Whoever I face in a fight, my grappling skills are my strong element,” he said.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>)

Alex Silva, a ground-fighting specialist from Brazil, says he has no qualms engaging Filipino fighter Roy Doliguez in a striking match when they face off Friday.

Alex Silva, a ground-fighting specialist from Brazil, says he has no qualms engaging Filipino fighter Roy Doliguez in a striking match when they face off Friday.