LAS VEGAS – Josh Silveira beat Sam Kei with a first-round submission Friday on the preliminary card at 2023 PFL 1 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Silveira, who picked up a big 6 points to start the 2023 light heavyweight regular season.
Sam Kei vs. Josh Silveira
Result: Josh Silveira def. Sam Kei via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:46
Updated records: Silveira (10-1), Kei (8-7)
Key stat: Silveira now has nine of his 10 wins by stoppage, including six submissions.
Silveira on the fight's key moment
“It’s mixed emotions. I haven’t competed since I lost (to Omari Akhmedov in the 2022 playoffs). I’m a competitor. I go in there thinking I’m 0-0. I feel good to be back. I feel good to start this year off like that. I feel good to finally get a first-round PFL (win). I was injured in the last first round. I had to make some things happen. Now I’ve got six points. I don’t have to deal with trying to get an extra point or something like that for now.”
Silveira on the pressure of bouncing back
“This is MMA. There’s pressure all the time. Losing’s part of it. We don’t like to lose, but it’s about how you get back up and you keep on going. You’re going to have to freaking wait till I can become an old man and stop doing this sh*t because I love this and I’m just freaking happy. I’m back feeling good, better than ever, and I have intentions and a purpose now, or good reason. I want to win.”
Silveira on what he wants next
“I wouldn’t want to fight my teammates or anything like that, but I’m ready for anyone. My style is a little bit of everything. If I get you on the ground, we’re going to work. If we’re on our feet, you’ve got to be ready to get on the ground. I’m just ready to take whatever comes.”
To hear more from Silveira, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 1.
