Wanderlei Silva announces retirement from MMA, but admits chance of boxing and provokes Vitor Belfort

W. Silva (photo) is an MMA legend. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @wandfc

Now it's official. At 46 years old and focused on running for Federal Deputy for Paraná, Wanderlei Silva He is retired from MMA. In an interview with the podcast 'French Exchange', however, the Curitiba native revealed the possibility of fighting in boxing. According to him, the new trend with sports legends and internet personalities is here to stay.

“It’s very interesting to follow new boxing events. I think it would be very interesting to box. Just boxing, which I've never fought and I'm good at boxing. I've trained with very good guys, so I would really like to have a fight, yes, at a good event. Against a big name, it could be. I wanted to catch a guy in boxing, because I like to test myself”, said 'Wand'.

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Despite the desire to test himself in the 'noble art' against athletes of the sport, the 'Mad Dog' took the opportunity to provoke an old acquaintance. Eternal rival, Wand provoked Vitor belfort for his performance against Evander Holyfield, who is 59 years old. The possibility of a duel between the compatriots has been talked about since the two's first meeting, in 1998, which was won by the Rio native.

“I wanted to get a good guy, a former world champion. It would be very interesting. But I don't want to take an 'old man' like a 'friend of ours' (Vitor belfort), who caught one that was almost '70 years old'. It has to be a younger guy, right? Hitting guys quickly, that's a different type of fighter. I am not. I want to get a good guy”, he concluded.

The relationship between Wanderlei Silva and boxing could get even closer, as his son, Thor, makes his amateur MMA debut for 'Fight Music Show' – known for promoting attractive events to the public, with renowned fighters such as Acelino Popó, Chris Cyborg and Pelé Landi, in addition to YouTubers Whindersson Nunes e Christian Figueiredo. Thor Silva's debut takes place on September 25th, against Gabriel Bonfim.

Legacy built

MMA legend, Wanderlei Silva He leaves the sport with a record of 34 wins, 15 losses and a draw in his career in mixed martial arts. The Brazilian is recognized as one of the most feared fighters in history and has beaten big names, such as Kazushi Sakuraba, Ricardo arona e Michael Bisping. At 46, he hasn't played since 2018, when he was knocked out by his arch-rival Rampage Jackson.