Written by Nick Halili | DUB Magazine | June 23, 2009
A frightened 13-year-old who had just started training muay thai kickboxing is told by his coaches that he must practice full-contact for the very first time. After throwing a kick at his older opponent, the boy is hit square in the jaw and is knocked out cold. When he comes to, he remains determined not to quit despite this inauspicious beginning. It is Curitiba, Brazil, circa 1989. The boy's name is Wanderlei Silva, and one day, he will become one of the most aggressive, most feared, and most exciting fighters in the history of mixed-martial arts.
The boy who would later be known as "The Axe Murderer" started strictly as a muay thai fighter, but by his late teens transitioned to vale tudo fighting. Portuguese for "anything goes", vale tudo had far fewer rules than today's mixed-martial arts (MMA): fighters wore no gloves, were allowed to head-butt, and could soccer kick a prone opponent who was on all fours in the head. Vale tudo would eventually reach America in the form of UFC 1 and later evolved into modern MMA. But Wanderlei would take a different path, starting with those brutal vale tudo fights in Brazil, continuing with his legendary run as world champion for the PRIDE Fighting Championships in Japan, and eventually culminating with his move to America to open up his own gym and fight in the UFC.
Although he's had his share of wins and losses lately, the same tenacity that drove him to get up from that first knock-out as a teen is as unyielding as ever. DUB catches up with Wanderlei as he gets ready for a main-event clash at UFC 99 in June against Rich Franklin at his gym, Wand Fight Team:
DUB: Your first sparring session didn't go too well. How did your first real fight go?
Wanderlei: In my first fight, there were 200 people watching. I was so nervous, so afraid. I closed my eyes and punch, punch, punch, punch, and beat the guy in 30 seconds. I was 72 kilos (158 lbs). I was a little fat and had a big head. Every time I fought guys that were older. I started training jiu jitsu when I was 17.
DUB: What are your favorite techniques in muay thai and jiu jitsu?
Wanderlei: (In muay thai) I love the knee and kicking the legs. Knees are my best technique, knees in the clinch. In jiu jitsu, I like the armlock and triangle (choke). I like the top because I use jiu jitsu to hit the guy.
DUB: After you learned both muay thai and jiu jitsu, you started fighting vale tudo, where they allowed both stand-up and ground fighting. What's the biggest difference between vale tudo and modern MMA?
Wanderlei: The big difference now is that they have more rules to protect the fighters. Now they have judges, have a time limit, it's more professional.
DUB: You became a superstar and dominated PRIDE Fighting Championships for years. What was your favorite thing about fighting over there in Japan?
Wanderlei: I like to kick the guys on the ground. I miss it.
DUB: The UFC does not allow you to soccer kick opponents in the head or knee their heads on the ground like in PRIDE and in vale tudo. How do you feel about this?
Wanderlei: I think in the future, they will change the rules (to allow) for knees on the ground. The kick is too aggressive, but the knees, I think they will change. But I like the rules in the UFC, too. It's possible to protect the fighters more. Here, it's harder to have bad injuries.
DUB: What is your favorite thing about fighting in the United States for the UFC?
Wanderlei: I love walking to the octagon. You go in and everybody touches you and the crowd, man the crowd is amazing! It shakes my body! I love it! It gives me incredible energy to fight. Incredible motivation! It's like they're fighting with you.
DUB: How has your life changed since you moved from Brazil to America (Las Vegas)?
Wanderlei: I moved here 2 years ago with my wife and my son. The quality of life in the United States is very good. Here I have a good car, a good home, more security. The cars are much cheaper here (in the U.S.). I am so happy now with my gym, Wand Fight Team. All my life, I wanted my own gym, and now I have a big gym with a real octagon. It's unbelievable for me!
DUB: What do you miss the most about Brazil?
Wanderlei: My family. I have a daughter in Brazil and my parents.
DUB: How do you feel about your next opponent, Rich Franklin?
Wanderlei: He is complete. I watch tapes, and study his game. Good boxer, good kicks, good defense of takedown. What I like is that he is not afraid to fight stand up. He stays in front of you. I love to fight guys with this style. I love a duel.
DUB: How do you plan to attack Franklin? Where do you think you have an advantage over him?
Wanderlei: This is a secret, haha!
DUB: How do you feel about fighting him at a 195 catchweight instead of at light-heavyweight (205 lbs.) or middleweight (185 lbs.)?
Wanderlei: This is a very good idea. Maybe, this will be the first fight of a new division. There's a lot of guys in my situation and his situation: to cut to 185 is a lot and to fight at 205, the guys are a lot bigger and stronger than you.
DUB: Who else would you like to fight in the UFC?
Wanderlei: One guy I really want to fight is Dan Henderson. My last fight with him, I was so sick. I went to the hospital, I drank a lot of medicine. I was not in the best condition. I want to fight with him again, because he's such a great fighter. I want to fight with Michael Bisping, too.
DUB: You've won championships and have become a star in America, as well as in your homeland of Brazil and Japan. What do want to accomplish before you finish your career?
Wanderlei: I want to win the UFC belt. I have had opportunities to be close to fighting for the belt, but every time, no go! But, one day, I will have the belt of the UFC. Never give up!