W. Silva could debut in bare-knuckle boxing in February. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA
Since Wanderlei Silva was appointed as one of the athletes who will make up the group of Bare Knuckle fighters, a type of 'boxing without gloves', the veteran's fans are waiting to find out when the warrior will make his debut in the new modality. According to David Feldman, president of the company, the debut should take place at the beginning of 2020. In an interview with 'BJPenn.com', the president suggested that the Curitiba native fight in February, with an opponent that has not yet been confirmed.
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“At the beginning of 2020, we will announce a big show in February and he (Wanderlei) will be in it,” said Feldman.
The mood for signing Silva's contract with the organization was divided between excitement and concern for the athlete's health, who revealed, at the beginning of 2019, that he had symptoms of a disease popularly called 'dementia pugilistica' (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy – ETC), caused by the accumulation of impacts to the head during his career. At the time, in an interview with 'Portal do Vale Tudo', 'Crazy Dog' spoke openly about the topic.
“I was at a lecture about concussion and, out of 10 symptoms that the 'guy' gave, eight I had. For example: mood changes, forgetting some things, difficulty sleeping. In our time, I, for example, believed that the more punches you took, the more you could take. And it’s the other way around: the more punches you take, the less you can take when fighting,” said the veteran.
When asked about Wand's health condition, David stated that all athletes who appear in the new organization's ring are duly evaluated by a medical team and are only released for combat if they are able to fight.
“All of our fighters receive extensive medical treatments, more than any state requires. Every fighter in the main event had to have a brain MRI, blood tests, eye exams,” Feldman said. “Whatever you imagine, they did. There may be rumors of 'ETC', but they will get medical attention. And, if they don’t pass successfully, they won’t fight for us”, he commented.
With the approval of health professionals, if he is released, Silva still does not have a confirmed opponent to make his debut in the new sport. Recently, the fighter challenged Vitor belfort for a super performance, however, the duel may have a complicating agent, as the 'Fenômeno' has a contract with ONE FC.
The name of Gabriel Gonzaga, which hit Antonio Pezão on the 19th, it was also discarded. According to David, the company is projecting a great opponent for Wanderlei, but it is not yet time to reveal it to the public.
“We are thinking of other names that make more sense for Wanderlei. Some names people will be shocked when we announce. We never know what could happen”, concluded the president.
Silva performed for the last time in September last year, when he shared the battlefield for the fourth time against Quinton jackson, by Bellator. On that occasion, the Brazilian ended up being knocked out in the second round.
At 43 years old, Wand has 51 fights as a professional in MMA. There were 35 triumphs, 14 defeats, one draw and one unsuccessful fight. The athlete gained worldwide fame after being one of the most dominant athletes in the now-defunct PRIDE in the early 2000s.
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