Silva’s stay at light heavyweight expected to end after UFC 153

The suggestion has been made that Anderson Silva's jump to light heavyweight tonight could be a precursor to a superfight against Ultimate Fighting Championship 205-pound champion Jon Jones.

Forget it.

In fact, Silva is still more interested in moving down from his normal weight of 185 pounds to fight welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre at a catchweight.

"There are many possibilities, but fighting Jon Jones is one of them that I don't think is possible," the longtime UFC middleweight champion said through a translator at a news conference. "There's no way."

Silva, a winner of 15 straight bouts since joining the organization in 2006, agreed to move up to 205 pounds and fight Stephan Bonnar to help save a UFC 153 event in his native Brazil that was in danger of falling apart after several injuries left the card in Rio de Janeiro without a headliner.

It is in contrast to the decision Jones made in late August to reject a replacement opponent eight days before his scheduled bout in Las Vegas, which eventually led to the UFC's first event cancellation of the modern era.

While not mentioning Jones specifically, Silva said he thought accepting the fight on less than a month's notice was the right thing to do.

"I've got that responsibility on my back," he said. "I'm part of the UFC family, and I believe that everyone can do what they can do to help. It was a case that the event might have been canceled and I'm just doing my part."

Silva knew he wouldn't have time to cut down to 185 pounds, so the search for a 205-pound opponent was on and the UFC settled on Bonnar, a Las Vegan who had decided to retire because he couldn't get the major opportunity he desired.

It doesn't get much bigger than a fight against Silva.

"Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it," Bonnar said. "I asked for a big name, and I got the biggest name in the sport. But he's fighting me at my weight, and that gives me an advantage."

Not that Silva hasn't been in this position before. He has taken two fights at light heavyweight during his run as middleweight champion, winning both by first-round knockout.

Bonnar could provide more of a challenge in that regard, as he has yet to be knocked out or submitted during a professional career that spans 21 fights. The oddsmakers don't give him much of a chance, though. Bonnar is anywhere from a 7-1 to 14-1 underdog, generally considered to be the biggest main event underdog ever on a UFC pay-per-view card.

You wouldn't know that from listening to Silva.

"Stephan Bonnar is a great fighter," Silva said. "His story is a big part of the UFC. This is a tricky fight for me Saturday. He has good (jiu-jitsu), and he brings the fight."

Silva thought it was important to help preserve the event for the people and fighters of Brazil. Two emerging stars from the country will be showcased on the card in light heavyweight Glover Teixeira and welterweight Erick Silva.

Teixeira, 32, has won 16 straight fights, including a first-round submission of Kyle Kingsbury in his long-awaited UFC debut in May. Several fighters reportedly rejected the opportunity to fight Teixeira, who will face countryman Fabio Maldonado. Teixeira had been scheduled to face Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, but Jackson was forced off the card because of an elbow injury.

"I've wanted to be in the UFC for so long, and now that I am here, it is living a dream," Teixeira said. "I will fight anyone in the UFC. I waited so long to get here - I will fight anyone."

Erick Silva has dominated his three UFC opponents, though he did lose by a questionable disqualification to Carlo Prater. He will face perennial contender Jon Fitch, who is 0-1-1 in the last two years.

Also on the card, Brazilian heavyweight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will fight Dave Herman, and light heavyweight Phil Davis will meet Wagner Prado in a rematch of an August fight that was ruled a no contest when Davis accidentally poked Prado in the eye.

The main card will air live on pay per view at 7 p.m., with the preliminary card airing live on FX (Cable 24) at 5.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.