Wanderlei reveals reason for new confrontation with Rampage: 'I was offered US$1 million'

Q. Jackson (left) and W. Silva (right) meet for the fourth time on Saturday. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ wandfc

Wanderlei Silva and Quinton'Rampage' Jackson has one of the biggest rivalries in MMA history. In the co-main event of Bellator 206 this Saturday (29), the athletes will have their fourth meeting inside the cage. The fighters faced each other twice in Pride and once in the UFC, almost 10 years ago. On two occasions, the Brazilian beat his opponent by knockout. At 42 years old, 'Wand' admitted to having accepted a new duel with the North American due to the US$1 million salary offered by the organization.

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“It was a million dollars they offered me (laughs). Scott (Coker, president of Bellator) called me and said, “I’ll give you a million dollars so you can fight the Rampage”. I'm not doing anything at all! I'm back to training, I'm training with the guys, and I'm feeling really good. I'm going to do this fight, and maybe I'll fight again in December”, explained 'Cachorro Louco' in an interview with the Combate channel website.

At Pride, Wanderlei won Rampage in two fights, 2003 and 2004. With that, the Brazilian maintained his undefeated reign for four years. At UFC 92, in 2008, Quinton knocked out Wand in the first round. Recalling the fights with his rival, the Brazilian assured that the duel in Bellator will be epic.

“I'm very happy to be able to do this fight, and to be able to bring this opportunity to fans who have already seen the other fights to see this one too. It's another moment, it's been ten years since our last fight. He is another athlete, I am another athlete, but the fight, I am sure, will be as spectacular as the others”, stated Wanderlei.

Wanderlei Silva made his last appearance against Chael Sonnen, at Bellator 180 in June 2017. The Brazilian was defeated by the American on his return to the cage after four years away. In comparison with Rampage, the Crazy Dog will reach the mark of 50 clashes in his MMA career.

Rampage He has 50 fights in his record, with 37 triumphs and 13 setbacks. The North American had the same tormentor as Wand in their last confrontation. Quinton was defeated by Chael Sonnen at Bellator 192 in January of this year.