Fresh off a successful octagon debut at middleweight, Jared Cannonier is facing the biggest name of his career when he takes on Anderson Silva at UFC 237.

Silva (34-8 MMA, 17-5 UFC) is actually the second proposed opponent for Cannonier (11-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC), who originally was offered a bout with Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (26-6 MMA, 9-3 UFC) before the ex-middleweight champ sought a quick turnaround off a decision loss to Israel Adesanya earlier this month.

Like everyone who’s been in the game for a minute, Cannonier is well aware of Silva’s legacy, to say nothing of the skills that gave Adesanya a run for his money. But Cannonier isn’t new to fighting big names, and he promises to treat this one the same as others.

“I definitely recognize what he’s done,” Cannonier told MMAjunkie Radio (head to the 1:28 mark in the video above). “There’s no denying that. But I can’t really approach these guys like that. I made that mistake when I fought Glover (Teixiera). I was a little too enamored by the whole thing, and I was excited to fight him, but I think I showed him a little too much respect. And I’m not going to make that mistake again.

“I have a formula I use when I fight any and everybody. It’s the same formula. I’m going to look at Silva as not Anderson Silva, but as this man in front of me that I have to break.”

Cannonier is 2-2 since a setback to the onetime light heavyweight title challenger Teixeira, most recently delivering a second-round stoppage of ex-WSOF champ David Branch at UFC 230.

Working with Eddie Cha at The MMA Lab, Cannonier believes his striking skills are peaking just at the right time to face a legend such as Silva. While he hasn’t done anything to specifically prepare for the Brazilian’s beguiling style, he believes he’ll be able to adjust in the cage.

“At this point, I run off instinct, and I already know how I fight,” he said. “I just pit my style against what I see. I think – as a matter of fact, I know – I can get in there and knock Anderson out. I can knock anybody out, but I imagine I can knock him out.

“I think he may have to be a little more cautious on the feet. Who knows, you may see him shooting for a double-leg or something.”

And while he’s prepared himself to be at the receiving end of the ex-champ’s punches, he’s also willing to walk through a few to deliver his own.

“(A knockout) could happen to me, especially going up against a guy like Anderson Silva,” he said. “And this is stuff that’s we’ve prepared for. We already understand that the worst of the worst could happen in there, and I’ve come to that understanding, but I don’t dwell on it. I dwell on me being the best I can be and going in there and doing what I do best.”

Even if he’s not able to reach Silva’s chin, Cannonier said UFC fans will get their money’s worth when he heads to hostile territory in Rio de Janeiro at Jeunesse Arena, which hosts the May 11 pay-per-view card.

“If Anderson Silva can keep from not getting finished, then that means it’s going to be an exciting fight,” he said. “Because when you’re dodging the shots that I throw, if you’re slipping and moving and doing all the right things, that’s going to be a beautiful thing to watch. I’m telling you man, because I’m going to be throwing heat, and I’m only getting more confident in my hands as time goes by.”

For more on UFC 237, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Dan Tom. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.