Trainer: ‘Anderson Silva as Motivated as He Was at Beginning of MMA Career’

Anderson Silva has already arrived in Rio de Janeiro to begin his camp for Uriah Hall, whom he will face at UFC 198 on May 14 in Curitiba, Brazil.

Although “The Spider” is now 40 years old and hasn’t officially won a fight since October 2012, his passion for the sport is still strong, according to physical trainer Rogerio Camoes.

“Anderson is motivated like he was in the beginning of his career. For a long time I didn’t see him that way,” Camoes told Sherdog.com. “Actually before the Bisping fight he was already so excited to take part in the first UFC event in Curitiba. Now he will have the opportunity to fight for his people where he started his story, so he’s really happy. He is physically in shape, focused.

“I really like to see Anderson that way. Of course Hall is a great opponent, a top of the division [talent] who deserves all respect. Besides being a new guy with lots of physical strength, he is also very technical. It is definitely going to be a great battle.”

Camoes said that Silva will train with his usual group of coaches, an experienced team that will include same Thailand-based muay Thai coach who helped him prepare for Nick Diaz at UFC 183.

  “Anderson is already 40 years old. He needs more experienced guys to lead him, people who lived more than him and that he trusts and will listen to,” Camoes said. “This team is working well, so we are not planing to change anything.”

Camoes is looking forward to coaching three of his X-Gym pupils on the UFC 198 bill. In addition to Silva, he will help corner Ronaldo Souza, who meets Vitor Belfort, and Warlley Alves, who will square off against Bryan Barberena.

It will definitely be a tough night, but I love great challenges. That adrenaline is what motivates me to stay alive,” he said. “Actually Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is part of the family too. We consider X-Gym and Team Nogueira as a family and for sure we are going to help each other to work together.

“The vibe is really positive. We are going to join forces for those four battles and give a great show to Brazilian people that will certainly pack that stadium to see all those Brazilian idols fighting on the same card.”