SPORTSNET.CA
UFC president Dana White said middleweight champion Anderson Silva was pulling for Quebec's Patrick Cote to beat Ricardo Almeida in their last bout since he wanted to fight the Canadian.
Speaking at a news conference Monday to promote October's event, UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote, White recounted what Silva told him as Cote earned a split decision over Almeida in July in a bout for which the winner was promised a title shot.
Said White: "(Silva told me), 'This kid's going to come out and stand up with me. We're going to go toe-to-toe. He'll bang with me. It will be a great fight for me and for the fans.'"
The two will face off in the main event of the Chicago card scheduled for Oct. 25.
Cote's win at UFC 86 was his fourth straight in the Octagon to even his record at 4-4. (He's 9-0 outside the UFC.) His previous two victories were first-round TKOs, which is no surprise as the 28-year-old nicknamed The Predator is known for his striking.
Many people believe Cote, like most of Silva's opponents, doesn't stand much of a chance against the superior all-around skills of Silva, who's known as The Spider. But White, who says Silva is "without a doubt the best fighter in the world," believes it isn't a done deal that the Brazilian will walk away with the belt intact. Especially against a guy with the strong chin and one-punch knockout potential of Cote.
"The great thing about this sport is anybody can win," White said. "At any given time anything can happen."
UFC 90 will take place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., just outside Chicago. It will be the UFC's first ever event in Illinois.
