MANILA — Alex Silva, a ground-fighting specialist from Brazil, says he has no qualms engaging Filipino fighter Roy Doliguez in a striking match when they face off this Friday.

The “Little Rock” will face Doliguez in the undercard of ONE: Throne of Tigers, which takes place at Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Despite coming into the fight as the heavy favorite, many cageside observers believe that a tough test awaits Silva in the standup exchanges due to his opponent’s boxing background.

Doliguez is a former pro boxer with nearly 50 fights under his belt. He captured the WBO Asia Pacific light flyweight title in September 2002.

“I know he has a good striking game because he is a boxer. He is also explosive and strong,” Silva said.

Silva, who represents Evolve MMA, asserted that he has a fair share of knowledge in terms of delivering blows from a toe-to-toe stance.

“I am very well-prepared in any situation of the fight because everyday I train and spar with the legends and world champions of Muay Thai at Evolve MMA. Roy Doliguez is a good striker, but I know I can match his skills in striking,” he said.

Silva is known to be a world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner with 4 of his professional career wins coming by way of submission.

Although the 34-year-old Brazilian said he is willing to stand with Doliguez, he stressed that his grappling pedigree will be his primary weapon.

“I believe in my skills as I have trained hard in all aspect for the fight. But for sure, my Brazilian jiu-jitsu background is something special because I have been training that discipline for my whole life. Whoever I face in a fight, my grappling skills are my strong element,” he said.

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