Rafael Silva has the skills and experience to stun Luis Santos

10:33 - 16 February 2016

Much like many other Silvas competing around the world in MMA, the man they call “The Machine” is not to be taken lightly.

There’s no such thing as a sure thing in combat sports.

Remember when Holly Holm stepped inside the Octagon to challenge Ronda Rousey? Not many people gave her a shot at pulling the upset.

How about when T.J. Dillashaw overcame incredible odds to become UFC bantamweight champion with a victory over Renan Barao?

So, when you look at the upcoming ONE: TRIBE OF WARRIORS main event between former title contender Luis Santos and Rafael Silva this week, do not expect it to be a walkover for Santos in Jakarta.

The 37-year-old Silva has recorded 40 career wins among his 55 pro fights, including 22 submission stoppages. He trains with the respected RS Team and has even fought at light heavyweight before.

Previous trips into the ONE cage have not been particularly successful for Silva, but they were both tough decision losses that came when he was taking time off between fights. His first appearance for the promotion was in October 2013, while he returned in December of the following year for the next.

And those two losses were against stiff competition in the unbeaten Michal Pasternak and 14-win veteran Tatsuya Mizuno.

Most recently, Silva put his exceptional submission skills on full display with a second-round submission of Abdulmajid Magomedov in the International Tournament in Pankration this past November.

Need further evidence of Silva’s abilities? From 2010 to early 2013, he went 10-1 with seven victories via stoppage. That included two knockout performances and five submission triumphs.

Santos, who will enter on the heels of a eight-fight unbeaten streak, has fallen victim before to the submission game in his storied career. Of his nine career losses, three have been by tap out.

Silva also has a couple of intangibles working for him in this headline bout.

First, he is the underdog and really has nothing to lose against the favorite Santos. Second, this is a 14-year veteran of the sport, so there is nothing he has not seen before that might rattle him.