James Irvin After Anderson Silva Fight: 'I'm Really Grateful for Dana White'

James Irvin was beaten, badly, by Anderson Silva at this month's Ultimate Fight Night event. But he has no regrets about taking a fight against such a great opponent, saying he's glad to have had the opportunity:

"I think I was almost a step down," Irvin said, adding that he knows Silva has beaten better fighters. "...I'm really grateful for Dana White. They blew it up and now everyone recognizes me. ... I wish the fight would have went a little longer so I could have tested him and tested my skills, but I'm happy with it either way."

Irvin said he needed 20 stitches because of the gash Silva opened on his face, and that although he thinks the referee stopped the fight at the right time, he doesn't remember anything after Silva's first strike landed.

I assume that interview was conducted before news broke that Irvin had tested positive for methadone and oxymorphone, and that obviously casts a shadow on Irvin. But he comes across as a likable guy who was thrilled to have the opportunity to fight the best in the world, even if he could only last a minute before Silva knocked him out.