UFC 97 presser: Silva says busy schedule will include more 205 pound fights

Anderson Silva took off five months after his lackluster win over Patrick Cote to re-focus and work on his training. He sounds like he's ready to go with two more fights in 2009 if he easily disposes of Thales Leites on Saturday night at UFC 97. He was asked about going back up to fight at light heavyweight:

"The experience we had at 205 was a good experience. It's in our plan to fight more in the 205 pound category."

Why many fans are intrigued by a move up for Silva, White has gone a little overboard in talking about his previous trip up to fight the bigger guys. In defending Silva's status as the pound-for-pound king, White has repeatedly said this week that Silva took a huge a risk. We all respect James Irvin but there isn't a person in the MMA media who thinks Irvin is top 10 fighter at 205. It is an accomplishment but let's hope he's serious about more journeys up.

Shogun Rua said he dropped many of the distractions that marred his preparation for his first two UFC fights (1:31 mark). He's also extremely motivated by the fact that Chuck Liddell is a huge star in the U.S.

Thales Leites is having no problem with confidence in spite of the fact of that he's a 5-to-1 underdog. He's well aware of the odds so much so that when told by a media member that he was a 6-to-1 dog, Leites corrected him. Leites said he believes in himself (3:17 mark) and that it's good to hear other fighters giving him a good chance to win the fight.

In Part 1 of the press conference, White also discussed whether Silva is the greatest UFC champion ever.

• UFC 97 weigh-in: Silva sends a message by nearly pushing Leites off the stage
• Thales Leites: ‘I can get that belt’ from Anderson Silva at UFC 97
• Kang defends Pride and says Silva will be tough to beat at 185
• Couture interview: Silva has a battle on his hands
• Liddell and Silva’s manager flip out on critical media