Wanderlei Silva News

Paulo Costa, UFC
UFC

Paulo Costa dubs ‘The Axe Murderer’ as his favorite fighter of all time

Harry Kettle - October 11, 2022

UFC fighter Paulo Costa has named mixed martial arts legend Wanderlei Silva as his favourite fighter of all time. Over the course of the last few months, Paulo Costa has seemingly gone from one of the biggest villains in the Ultimate Fighting Championship to one of the biggest heroes – and he’s done so by showing off his incredibly unique personality.

Thor Silva and Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva

Video | Wanderlei Silva's son Thor wins MMA debut via first round TKO

Ryan Harkness - September 26, 2022

Wanderlei Silva’s son Thor Silva made his amateur MMA debut on Sunday at Fight Music Show 2 in Brazil, winning his bout via first round TKO. The 19-year-old showed no hesitation in the cage as he attacked Gabriel Bonfim early, hitting a single-leg takedown and escaping an armbar attempt. He then punished his opponent with relentless ground and pound before securing mount. Bonfim did his best to try and cling to Thor, but couldn’t escape the damage he was taking and gave up his back. The ref stepped in at 2:13 of the first round to wave things off.

Evander Holyfield

Wanderlei Silva interested in moving to boxing, goes off on Vitor Belfort fighting Evander Holyfield: "I don't want to fight an old man"

Josh Evanoff - September 13, 2022

Wanderlei Silva might be retired from MMA, but he’s not retired from boxing. ‘The Axe Murderer’ has been out of action since his knockout loss to Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in September 2018. Following that defeat, Silva departed from Bellator. He promptly signed with BKFC the following year.

Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva announces retirement from MMA, plans to coach son Thor: "I've been through it all"

Josh Evanoff - August 31, 2022

Former PRIDE middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva has announced his retirement from MMA. ‘The Axe Murderer’ is one of the most terrifying fighters in the history of the sport. The Brazilian first began his career in 1996. He soon became one of the faces of the International Vale Tudo Championship and captured the light-heavyweight title in 1999.

Vitor Belfort
UFC

Vitor Belfort sends fiery message to arch rival Wanderlei Silva

Tom Taylor - August 31, 2020

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort has sent a scathing message to the chief rival of his career, Wanderlei Silva. Over the weekend, Silva shared a poster for a fictional fight card involving himself and Belfort, as well as other legends like Fedor Emelianenko, Tito Ortiz, and Rashad Evans. Belfort, who defeated Silva by first-round knockout way back in 1998 and has been open to a rematch ever since, was not impressed by his rival’s post.

Wanderlei Silva, Mike Tyson
Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva teases massive MMA card at the Tyson Ranch featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tito Ortiz, and more

Adam Martin - August 30, 2020

Wanderlei Silva is teasing a massive MMA card that will take place at the Tyson Ranch featuring Fedor Emelianenko and Tito Ortiz, plus more. Silva posted a photo on his social media of a poster for an event called “Fight Club After Dark.” The poster says the event will take place on November 21 at the Tyson Ranch in Desert Hot Springs, California, with the tagline, “Experience live MMA like never before under the stars on the Tyson Ranch.”

Mike Tyson, Wanderlei Silva
Mike Tyson

Report: Mike Tyson rejects $18M offer to fight Wanderlei Silva

Tom Taylor - June 10, 2020

Heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson has reportedly turned down an $18M offer from American bare-knuckle fighting promotion BKFC. The offer reportedly named MMA legend Wanderlei Silva, who recently signed with BKFC but has yet to debut with the promotion, as the opponent for Tyson’s return.

Vitor Belfort
Vitor Belfort

Vitor Belfort teases rematch with Wanderlei Silva

Harry Kettle - June 10, 2020

ONE Championship star Vitor Belfort has teased the idea of a rematch with Wanderlei Silva, 22 years after their first encounter. While his last fight may have taken place more than two years ago at UFC 224 when he was knocked out by Lyoto Machida, Belfort is ready to get back into the cage and officially end his retirement with ONE Championship.

Wanderlei Silva, Mike Tyson
Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva hit by car while riding bike in Brazil, breaks foot

Adam Martin - June 4, 2020

MMA legend Wanderlei Silva was involved in an accident on Wednesday afternoon in Curitiba, Brazil, when he was hit by a car while riding a bicycle. Silva says that he broke his foot and suffered cuts to his face.

Mike Tyson, Wanderlei Silva
Mike Tyson

Coach refutes rumors of Mike Tyson vs. Wanderlei Silva BKFC fight

Tom Taylor - May 26, 2020

Not long after boxing legend Mike Tyson announced his plans to return to the ring at 53 years of age, he received a lucrative offer from upstart bare-knuckle promotion BKFC—potentially for a fight with MMA legend Wanderlei Silva. “I think a Wanderlei Silva, someone of that nature,” BKFC boss David Feldman told MMA Fighting when discussing potential opponents for Tyson. “No matter how old Silva gets, he’s dangerous, and I think that would be an intriguing matchup. Something like that, but I don’t actually have anything in mind right now.”

Wanderlei Silva, Mike Tyson
Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva reportedly offered $10M for potential Mike Tyson matchup

Tom Taylor - May 25, 2020

Wanderlei Silva has reportedly been offered $10M for a potential bare-knuckle fight with Mike Tyson—an opportunity he says he accepted “right away.” Tyson, a 53-year-old boxing legend, is plotting a comeback, and is being aggressively courted by upstart bare-knuckle organization BKFC. The promotion is reported to have offered Tyson more than $20M to compete sans gloves, and has named Silva as his potential dance partner (should the boxer accept the offer).

Wanderlei Silva
UFC

Wanderlei Silva calls out Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort for bare-knuckle fights

Adam Martin - April 21, 2020

MMA legend Wanderlei Silva has called out fellow veterans of the sport Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort for bare-knuckle fights. Silva signed with BKFC last fall but has yet to make his debut with the promotion. At the time of the signing, Silva said he was interested in fighting Belfort. Six months later and Silva still wants to fight Belfort but he’s also interested in fighting Henderson, as well.

Wanderlei Silva, Mike Tyson
Exclusive MMA Interviews

BKFC boss David Feldman shares timeframe for Wanderlei Silva, Hector Lombard debuts

Cole Shelton - October 23, 2019

David Feldman has recently signed several former UFC and Bellator champions or title contenders to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. He also recently signed former boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi, who stepped into the BKFC ring for a fight against Artem Lobov. Feldman believes it’s crucial to BKFC’s continued success to sign these kinds of big-name fighters — fighters like Wanderlei Silva and Hector Lombard, who recently signed on the dotted line. Luckily, Feldman says fighters are now coming to him and wanting to sign with BKFC, which makes his job much easier.

Wanderlei Silva, Mike Tyson
Vitor Belfort

Wanderlei Silva calls out Vitor Belfort for bare-knuckle fight

Adam Martin - October 4, 2019

MMA legend Wanderlei Silva, who recently signed with Bare Knuckle FC, has called out long-time rival Vitor Belfort to a bare-knuckle fight. Speaking to AgFight.com, Silva said he badly wants to get his hands on Belfort.

Wanderlei Silva, Mike Tyson
BKFC

Wanderlei Silva signs with Bare Knuckle FC

Chris Taylor - September 27, 2019

Mixed Martial Arts legend Wanderlei Silva is not hanging up the gloves just yet and instead has signed a deal to fight under the Bare Knuckle FC banner. The news comes from FanSided who reported earlier that the now 43-year-old ‘Axe Murderer’ has signed a deal with Bare Knuckle FC.

Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva admits he is experiencing multiple concussion-like symptoms

Tom Taylor - February 6, 2019

Wanderlei Silva, one of the most ferocious fighters in MMA history, recently admitted that he experiences many of the symptoms of brain injury. The 51-fight veteran, who has been engaging in tooth-and-nail scraps for almost three decades, made this concerning admission in an interview with Brazilian website PVT.

Quinton Jackson, Rampage, Wanderlei Silva
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson

Bellator 206 salaries: 'Rampage' and Wanderlei Silva earn top paydays

Tom Taylor - September 30, 2018

Bellator 206, which went down in San Jose, California on Saturday night, was among the biggest fight cards the company has ever promoted. As it turns out, this card featured some suitably hefty paydays as well. The biggest earner of the night was former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, who pocketed a significant $300,000 for his second-round TKO of his rival Wanderlei Silva. Silva, meanwhile, was the second biggest earner of the night, pocketing $200,000 in defeat.

Quinton Jackson
Wanderlei Silva

Fighters react to tonight's war between Quinton Jackson and Wanderlei Silva

Chris Taylor - September 29, 2018

Former mixed martial arts world champions and bitter rivals Quinton Jackson and Wanderlei Silva squared off for a forth time tonight at Bellator 206 in San Jose. Wanderlei had won the pairs first two meetings, which took place under the now defunct PRIDE FC banner, ending both of those fights with some brutal knees in the clinch.