Wanderlei Silva ready to take on Chael Sonnen even if it has to be at Metamoris

On July 29, 2014 By

Wanderlei Silva is in a bit of an interesting situation at the moment. On one hand, he’s currently waiting to hear from the Nevada State Athletic Commission in regards to an incident which may leave him sitting on the sidelines for quite some time………on the other hand, he wants to fight Chael, and it doesn’t have to be in MMA.

Making his first appearance on Submission Radio, “The Axe Murderer” wasted no time setting the record straight on Brazil’s poor showing in the final of the 2014 Soccer world cup

“I think Brazil lost just because the guys didn’t invite me to play. If I play, it never would have happened.” (laughs)

While it’s all over for the Brazilian soccer team and their world cup dreams, Wanderlei maintains his hopes that he and former opposing Ultimate Fighter coach, Chael Sonnen will still meet in the Octagon.


“I think he retired just for now, I think after finishing his suspension, he’s gonna (come) back. I hope this fight is gonna happen.”



(Wanderlei Interview starts at [1:05:48])

There’s no denying that the two fighters would have profited hugely from the once highly anticipated grudge match, both monetarily and in terms of exposure. While Silva did not help bring the match-up any closer to fruition, Chael ultimately closed the door when he retired from Mixed Martial Arts, after failing his 2nd drug test within a month, and testing positive for four substances banned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (human growth hormone (HGH), recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), anastrozole and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)). Even though Wanderlei was initially disappointed to hear about Sonnen’s exit from the sport, he is still more than happy to wait patiently, and likes his chances if the two do end up fighting.

“Yeah this is bad for everyone, bad for him, bad for me, bad for the fans who want so much that fight. But I’m gonna (be) waiting for him.”

“He (Chael Sonnen) has just one way to fight, just take down, then on the top of the ground. And for me, I try to knock out, you know. I like to fight (in the) stand up and that what was happen. I’m gonna try to knock him out, he would try and hold me the whole round.”

Fortunately for the former Pride Middleweight champion, he may not have to wait. When asked if he would be open to competing against Chael in a grappling tournament such as Metamoris, Silva seemed open to the idea.

““Yeah, why not. I never think about that but I think it’s a good idea.”

While it would be fun to see the 38 year old Brazilian competing in a grappling competition, his home ultimately lies in the UFC, competing in the sport that made him famous…………oh, and he’s optimistic about that too.

“I think that in the last two fights I made the two bonuses, the fight of the night and knockout of the night. You know I make my fights exciting and I’m really entertaining, and I’m still fighting good. And when the body’s working good, I’ll go. When I can’t do it anymore, I’ll try and do other things. Right now it’s good for me.”

“I’m still training and UFC have a lot of events around the world, and I hope the event invites me to fight soon.”

“I think him (Chael) and Belfort are just the two good fights that have a reason to happen for me.”

Will Wanderlei grace the Octagon at least once more? Or will the judge from the Simpsons (NSAC) put the Kibosh on Silva’s career and turn him from ‘legend’, to ‘Spectator’? Only time will tell, but until then, check out the latest episode of Submission Radio featuring Rich Franklin, Diego Sanchez, and of course Wanderlei Silva.

More quotes from the interview

On if Wanderlei would like to fight Luke Barnatt potentially?

“Yeah I think if everything is good for the fans and for the event (UFC) I’ll do it. No problem.”

Thoughts on the recent fight between Weidman and Machida at UFC 175

“Yeah I think the champ is in a great moment. Lyoto’s fighting very well. I think, you know if he started to attack a little bit earlier, he could have won the fight. I think he lost two rounds, and won two. And I hope for him to have another chance at the belt so that now he knows that way to beat the champ.”

On if Wanderlei was surprised with Lyoto’s aggressive, brawling style near the end of the fight

“No I think it was one of the best fights of Lyoto. Lyoto was more exciting, he attacked more. I think training with Rafael Cordeiro put him on another level, and I think he’s gonna (be) fighting for the belt again.”

Which of his fights did he enjoy the most

“Chuck Liddell in 2007. It was a great fight, one of the best fights of my career. I think it was one of my best fights.”

If Wanderlei enjoyed the experience of coaching the Ultimate Fighter

“It was really great for me, you know I show my technique, I training a lot of good guys, we opened the doors to MMA in Brazil, we had great talent, the biggest from all the shows. And I’m so glad to open the door and make a lot of opportunities for new fighters”

Favourite moment in his Career

“When I beat (Rampage) Jackson the second time.”

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