Joshua Silveira Reflects on Anti-Climactic End to Clash With Sadibou Sy at PFL 2

Joshua Silveira is relieved to get back in the win column after suffering a unanimous decision loss against Impa Kasanganay in the finals of the Professional Fighters League 2023 season, regardless of the method of victory.

Silveira walked away with six points in the PFL light heavyweight point standings after securing a technical knockout due to injury in the first frame against Sadibou Sy in their PFL 2 meeting on Friday.

While both competitors used the initial minute of the round to make reads, Silveira managed to get Sy against the cage and subsequently take him down, only for the Swede to instantly attempt to grab referee Marc Goddard’s attention by waving at him. Once Goddard noted that Sy had dislocated his thumb, the veteran referee was quick to call off the contest at the 1:14 mark.

Despite the odd fight-ending sequence, Silveira is happy to get back in the win column. Interestingly, this isn't the first time the Florida native has won a fight due to an injury sustained by his opponent while being taken down. Silveira's victory against Delan Monte in June last year also came by way of a knee injury for Monte in the first round.

“All his fights, all the takedowns people attempt on him are head inside, so [a] big focus [was] head on outside,” Silveira said at the post-fight press conference. “And he even came out orthodox, which I thought, he was gonna come out southpaw but I got him to the cage, got my head to the outside, and I did a freaking, good old, just... you know. In the wrestling world, it probably wouldn’t have been the greatest takedown, but this is MMA and then I think he posted with his thumb awkwardly.

“Man, I don't know, this is the second time this is happened to me with an opponent with a takedown. I don’t know if my takedowns are just cool like that, but I'll take it. A win’s a win. Obviously, I hope he recovers well. His thumb was kind of out of place, it was crooked for sure so prayers to him and a speedy recovery."