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Wanderlei Silva signs with the UFC

It is finally official everyone as we prepare to watch the most exciting fights in the months to come.  Former PrideFC Middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva has made a deal with the UFC organization.
Dana White looked happier than ever as the negotiations finally came to an end ,

  As crazy as this sounds, this is the pinnacle of my seven year career in this company…I’m so excited to have this guy under contract.  He grabbed my arm and looked me in the eyes like one of his pre-fight staredowns and he said I’m gonna fight so good for you, you’re gonna see the best fights ever from Wanderlei Silva.‘  “

Dana looked more than enthusiastic when the signatures went through and you can tell that Silva felt satisfied as well.  Silva started his fighting career in the streets of Brazil with the original Vale Tudo, a Brazilian combat sport with minimal rules.  Dana White then stated,

  This guy is a real fighter…He reminds me of Chuck Liddell, and he’s the kind of fighter that all fight fans love to see fight. He’s a gunslinger.  He will get in harm’s way to inflict damage and pain.  This guy comes out like a speeding train and never stops.  He goes for the finish, he likes to knock people out, and I just think he’s going to bring so much excitement to the UFC, I feel like I’m going to jump out of my skin. 

Silva had fought in the UFC before, but continued most of his MMA career in Japan with PrideFC.  He became the middleweight champion after defeating Sakuraba for his title.  Silva, nicknamed the “axe murderer”, went on to win 18 fights in a row until he lost to Mark Hunt at Pride Shockwave 2004 in a non-title match.

Since then, he won 4 of his last 7 fights including his last 2 heartbreaking losses.  Many felt that his career has been in jeopardy due to these 2 losses.  His first loss came to Mirko Cro Cop in September of 2006 and then lost his belt to Dan Henderson at Pride 33 earlier this year.  Silva decided to give his body some rest as he wanted some time away from Pride’s ring.

Silva is now ready to take on the top 205-pound fighters of the world as he signs with the UFC for the second time in his career.  He wants to let all the Light Heavyweights know something as he left a brief message,

  I want to issue a warning to the other fighters out there: you need to train hard, because “The Axe Murderer” is here. 

Look at Dana’s face as Wanderlei Silva signs his contract:


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