UFC 168’s Fabricio Camoes talks about 1997 bout against Anderson Silva

In 1997, there probably couldn’t have been any way for Fabricio Camoes to know he was fighting a future legend.

But on his first night of professional fighting, Camoes had to meet a fellow Brazilian, who also was fighting for the first night as a pro. That countryman was Anderson Silva.

Silva and Camoes met in the final of a four-man tournament in Brazil. And after more than 25 minutes, Silva got a TKO victory. Each had won his first fight to reach the final against the other.

Tonight they fight again on the same card, just obviously not against each other. Silva (33-5 MMA, 16-1 UFC) challenges champion Chris Weidman (10-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) for the middleweight title he once held. Camoes (14-7-1 MMA, 1-2-1 UFC) takes on Jim Miller (22-4 MMA, 11-3 UFC), also on the main card at UFC 168, which takes place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

It’s not been lost on Camoes that he fought a legend before he was a legend. Silva went on to win the UFC’s middleweight title and went 16-0 in the organization before his first loss in the UFC to Weidman in July.

“I defeated my first opponent and then got to face Anderson in the final, all on the same day,” Camoes told MMAjunkie of their 1997 encounter in Brazil. “We fought nonstop for over 25 minutes, after which Anderson scored the technical knockout. It was an excellent experience to face such an idol of our sport early on. Not everyone can say that.”

Camoes said there was not room for any animosity toward Silva afterward. And as a fighter, he’s learned to not hold a grudge outside the cage when the fight is over.

“No truly professional athlete fights angry,” he said. “We see it as a sport. I’ve extended my hand in friendship to all athletes I’ve faced, including Anderson Silva. Ultimately, time will pass us by, we’ll retire, and all that we’ll have left are those memories made inside the octagon, and the friendships we forged. So there’s no place for animosity.

“Of course, trash-talking has its place in promoting the fights, but deep down when it’s all said and done, we shake hands and keep it professional. That’s what matters to me.”

Through the more than 15 years since they fought, Camoes and “The Spider” have seen each other plenty, as well. Being from the same country, they’ve shared the ambassador torch.

But Camoes singled out Silva for just how much he’s been able to do for MMA.

“After our fight, we kept in touch,” Camoes said. “We always ran into each other at various Brazilian events. I think I faced some of the toughest guys in Brazilian MMA at the time. Anderson Silva is a phenomenon. I’m a fan of his, not just because we are friends, but for everything that he’s done in the sport. His vast international experience is something he enjoys sharing, and it’s very reassuring for the rest of us.

“I think the fact that we both go back to that vale tudo event in 1997 is certainly another factor to improve our bond of friendship.”

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