After a tumultuous couple of years, including suspensions, lawsuits and repeated allegations, it was announced yesterday that MMA legend Wanderlei Silva has made the decision to come out of retirement, and step back into the fight game.
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen “The Axe Murderer.” Last on our screens when he was the coach of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, against his rival Chael Sonnen, Silva’s incredible career took a turn when he was subject to a random drug test in the lead up to the duos bout. Silva left the gym, and fled from that test, resulting in his license being suspended.
In the lead up to his hearing on the subject with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Silva announced his retirement, citing the UFC taking away his passion for fighting. Claiming they had treated him poorly, Silva said he couldn’t go on any longer.
Then, in the hearing with the NSAC, retirement got turned from a choice into an enforced fact. The commission, who have become renowned for their illogical and questionable decision making, issued Silva a lifetime ban from the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.
Now out of the sport, you could be forgiven for thinking Silva’s issues were over, but the Brazillian found a way to make matters worse for himself.
Clearly aggravated by the manner in which his career had ended, Silva began releasing a series of videos, all more bizarre than the last. He would go on lengthy tirades against the UFC and UFC President Dana White, claiming they abused fighters and paid them unfairly. Most clips went, for the most part, ignored. It was when Silva made claims on his social media that the UFC had been fixing fights that things started to get serious.
“They have no respect for anyone,” Silva posted. “I made it clear for all of you that I won’t ever fight for this event again, UFCircus! Fixed fights, and I can prove it. I haven’t dropped the bomb yet, I haven’t said what I know.”
The statement made the UFC, who still had Wanderlei on their books under contract, file a lawsuit against the veteran. That case continued until January, when suddenly, coinciding with a statement from Silva denouncing his previous claims, the UFC dropped their lawsuit and released Silva from his contract.
“In July of last year, I posted a number of comments on Facebook and Twitter, which included repeated claims that the UFC ‘fixed fights’ and that I could ‘prove it,’” Silva posted.”I hereby retract any such statements in their entirety as I failed to understand that the term ‘fight-fixing’ specifically refers to the illegal action or practice of dishonestly determining the outcome of a contest before it occurs. I understand the UFC’s reputation would be harmed if my fans and others actually believed the UFC engaged in fight fixing, and I have no evidence to support such a claim. I apologize for any misunderstanding my comments may have caused.”
Then, having his lifetime ban overturned by judge Kerry Earley, Silva returned to the NSAC for a second hearing. Where this time, they gave him a suspension of three years for avoiding the 2014 drug test.
It appears that suspension, which will end in springtime 2017, may not matter. With the announcement of his coming out of retirement, it was also announced that Wanderlei Silva had signed with Bellator MMA.
Once again, Bellator and President Scott Coker have acquired a high-level signing. Despite his advanced years, and his absence from the sport, Silva is still a well-regarded and beloved fighter in the world of MMA. Having seen veterans Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock appearing in a Bellator main event this year, it’s no surprise Bellator have gone into business with the younger Silva.
With his suspension currently meaning he’s unable to fight in the United States, there is nothing stopping Silva from making appearances in countries (Japan/Brazil/Russia for example) that wouldn’t care about allowing him to fight, and ignore the verdict from the NSAC.
Options for the ex-PRIDE and ex-UFC star vary, with Bellator revealing in their press release they are as of yet unsure if Silva will be appearing in their Middleweight, Light Heavyweight or Heavyweight divisions.
It’s possible he’ll be seen in all three. As of right now, there are a few names on the table for Silva. With Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson being re-signed, and Scott Coker’s working business relationship with Japan-based promotion RIZIN (home to Fedor Emelianenko), we could soon yet be seeing Wanderlei Silva in some high profile fights.
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