Watch Out, PFL: A Fired-Up Josh Silveira Is Coming for the Middleweight Crown.

March 21st, 2025

With a fresh start and a new weight class to conquer, Josh Silveira is ready to make his mark once again in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) tournament. Coming off a narrow loss in last year’s finals against Impa Kasanganay, Silveira isn’t dwelling on the past — he’s embracing it as fuel for his next chapter.

“I definitely would say I’m a different fighter than from that last time I lost to him,” Silveira said. “Losing and struggling works hand-in-hand with getting better. It’s weird — I don’t make the rules — it’s just the rules of life.”

On April 18th, Silveira steps into the cage against former Bellator veteran Mike Shipman. Although he acknowledges Shipman’s toughness and experience, Silveira is keeping his focus inward.

“Of course, we all study our opponents — it would be foolish not to — but I don’t obsess over it,” he said. “I focus on myself and on getting better. Mike’s just the next guy who’s going to get me one step closer to winning this tournament.”

Grinding Through the Days

A typical training day for Silveira is relentless. Two-a-days are the norm, with occasional third sessions depending on how his body feels. While some fighters live in the weight room, Silveira keeps it simple: one or two lifting sessions per week, strictly for injury prevention rather than bulking up.

“I’m not competing to be a bodybuilder,” he said with a laugh. “If you want to get better at fighting, you’ve got to fight. I stick to sparring, live drills, intense but controlled movement — and a lot of sauna sessions and light jogging. Staying healthy is crucial. You don’t want to go into a fight feeling banged up.”

Even with a structured training schedule, the biggest challenge for Silveira isn’t the physical grind — it’s the mental one.

“Being consistent is the hardest part,” he explained. “Getting up every day and making this your life. Some days are bad, some days are good, but you know the direction you want to go in. MMA is my career — there’s no going back for me. I’m doing this ’til the wheels fall off.”

Lessons From a Legend

Silveira’s dedication was deeply shaped by his father, MMA pioneer and famed coach Conan Silveira. Growing up immersed in the world of combat sports gave Josh an edge not many fighters have.

“My dad’s guidance is everything,” he said. “He’s seen it all. A lot of fighters make bad decisions simply because they don’t have anyone experienced to guide them. I’m blessed — I grew up with that.”

Having watched countless fighters navigate the highs and lows of the sport, Josh knows firsthand how critical it is to have a strong foundation both inside and outside the cage.

Moving Forward, Not Looking Back

Despite his two previous losses to Kasanganay, Silveira harbors no ill will. For him, the fight game is just business — not personal.

“People ask me about a rematch with Impa all the time,” he said. “I have nothing against him. Fighting is the best form of settling business, and he beat me fair and square. If we fight again, let’s do it — but I’m focused on winning this tournament, not just chasing one guy.”

More than anything, Silveira is driven by the dream of stability and freedom — not fame or even just prize money.

“It’s about winning, about being able to live freely without financial stress,” he said. “At the end of the day, when this is all said and done, it’s about putting a roof over my family’s head and taking care of them.”

For now, that journey continues on April 18. And Josh Silveira is all in — no looking back, no shortcuts, and no second-guessing.

“Whoever they put in front of me,” he said, “I’m ready.”