MIAMI – Thiago Silva won’t have any issues putting his friendship with Hector Lombard aside when they throw down in the cage.

Silva (21-9) meets former training partner Lombard (34-10-1) in the co-main event of Eagle FC 48 on May 20 at the FLXcast Arena, his first fight since 2019. The respect between Silva and Lombard is mutual, but once the cage door closes, none of it will matter.

“We trained together at American Top Team for about four years,” Silva told MMA Junkie while attending Eagle FC 46. He was my main partner. He’s a great guy, but at the end of the day this is business. You want to prove yourself. You want to get the paycheck. You’ve got to win the fight. It doesn’t matter who.”

Silva, 39, fought 12 times in the UFC from 2007 to 2013. A former ACB light heavyweight champion, he’s fought all the way up at heavyweight in his career. Meanwhile, Lombard has competed as low as welterweight and will be at both a height and reach disadvantage heading into his 205-pound bout against Silva.

Despite the physical advantages that he possesses, Silva isn’t expecting it to play a factor in the fight.

“Hector is an athlete,” Silva said. “He’s very strong, very explosive. He’s a danger, especially in the first round. But he’s experienced, too. He has a lot of experience, too. I don’t think this will affect (the fight). Some hard work gives me some type of advantage. I just don’t underestimate him, and I’m ready to fight. That’s it.”