Dana White: Erick Silva Should Be Ranked Higher Than No. 14, But It’s Crazy He’s A 2-To-1 Favorite Over Matt Brown

UFC welterweight Erick Silva is in for the fight of his life when he faces surging No. 7-ranked challenger Matt Brown in the main event of Saturday night’s (May 10, 2014) UFC Fight Night 40 from the US Bank in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Although he’s been highly regarded as one of the UFC’s most talented up-and-coming prospects for some time now, Silva has struggled to gain footing on the grand stage. With a 4-3 record in the UFC, “Indio” has failed to notch two straight victories inside the Octagon, although many believe he should be 5-2 after a UFC 142 disqualification loss to Carlo Prater.

Still, he’s failed in the face of top competition, losing a one-sided decision to former title contender Jon Fitch at UFC 153 before suffering a vicious knockout loss at the hands of surging Dong Hyun Kim at UFC Fight Night 29.

“Indio” may be a jaw-dropping 2-to-1 favorite over “The Immortal,” but Brown doesn’t think Silva has beaten “anybody that good.”

There’s at least one man who disagrees with that statement, and that man is UFC president Dana White. Speaking up on UFC Tonight, White clarified his belief that Silva should be ranked higher than his current No. 14 spot:

“I gotta be honest with you guys, I love Matt Brown, and I think Matt Brown is nasty, mean, and tough, and loves to go out and knock people out, but Erick Silva is a very, very tough challenge for him.

And, I think it’s even worse for Matt Brown, because the media have him ranked No. 14 when I think the kid is actually much closer to Matt Brown than being ranked 14.

I don’t know if he’s close enough to Brown to be a 2-to-1 favorite; it totally contradicts that Brown is ranked No. 7, he’s ranked No. 14, but Erick Silva’s a 2-to-1 favorite over Browne? It’s crazy.”

Currently on the hunt for an alarming seventh straight victory, Brown may have a good point in pointing out Silva’s track record. However, “The Immortal” hasn’t exactly bested a murderer’s row during his recent hot run.

The skewed odds are apparently getting to the workmanlike Brown, who seemingly can’t get any respect even with a huge win streak intact.

Being the underdog yet again will most likely serve to motivate “The Immortal” even more, but he can’t look past Silva. With the betting line somehow swaying to Silva’s favor, are you picking the talented Brazilian to spoil Brown’s return to the cage?

Photo: Jason Silva for USA TODAY Sports