It is 2 p.m. on an ice cold Friday in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. Having just finished yet another training session for his fight this Saturday against UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin (Pictures), Anderson Silva picks up the phone to talk about the most important mixed martial arts bout of his career.

“It was a very hard training,” Silva told Sherdog.com, “but I enjoyed it. So the day of the fight is coming and this is good. I’m feeling good. I’m in an intense training session and will be well prepared for this battle.”

Silva won’t have an easy time. He knows that his fight against Franklin will be one of the most difficult fights of his career. However, the demeanor that the Brazilian shows is unbelievable.

“I’m very relaxed,” he stated. “When we train a lot, we know we’re OK. I can’t see a reason to be nervous. I just have to execute my game in this fight.”

Owner of one of the most refined Muay Thai techniques in mixed martial arts, Silva has placed his trust in those skills — but he doesn’t know which one of his striking abilities will help him in this fight.

“Rich Franklin (Pictures) shows excellent techniques in his fights,” Silva said. “I saw amazing knockouts by him. But you know, each fight has a different history and anything can happen. I’m ready for everything that can happen. I fight MMA and this is the reason for me to be ready in every single fighting style, be this Brazilian jiu-jitsu or Muay Thai, and I’ve trained hard in every aspect.”

And Anderson really is prepared.

If he is noted for his Muay Thai, his ground skills must be also respected, as Silva received his BJJ black belt from former PRIDE heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures).

“‘Minotauro’ and ‘Minotoro’ are like my brothers,” Silva said. “I love these guys. We train together every time we can, and they help me a lot, especially in BJJ because they are better [than I am].”

Former Shooto 167-pound champion and reigning middleweight champion for Cage Rage, Silva has his an opportunity to win his third title belt in a significant MMA event. The athlete recognizes it would be a great accomplishment, but he isn’t feeling any pressure about it.

“It would be excellent,” he said. “But I won’t go into the fight thinking about this; I will go there to do my job. I’m going to win. I have no doubt about how important this victory is for me, and that’s why I’m going there.”

With his origins as a Muay Thai fighter, Silva has spent most of his career fighting in a traditional boxing-style ring. Yet the Brazilian said fighting in the Octagon will not muddle him.

“I’m already used to fighting between the fence,” he said. “Truly speaking, it helps me in my game. It makes me more confident.”

With the big day coming, Anderson knows that two top athletes like Franklin and himself can offer a boundary mark in the MMA world.

“You can expect a tremendous battle between Franklin and me,” the challenger said.

With the training session finally finished, and his partners getting ready to go home, Silva says goodbye. But before he goes, he leaves a message to anyone planning to support him in his bout at UFC 64 in Las Vegas.

“I am really happy to fight in UFC,” he said. “That’s why I’m training really hard. I’m doing everything I can to give you a great show, just like you are used to seeing. A big embrace to everyone, and support me guys.”