One of the most exciting fighters to watch, with twenty-three wins by knockout, former PRIDE champion Wanderlei ‘The Axe Murderer’ Silva (33-10-1, 1NC) is set to bring his style back into the Octagon once again.
After sitting for a year-and-a-half, Silva is set to face, in what many fans hope will be a toe-to-toe scrap between himself and Chris ‘The Crippler’ Leben in tonight’s co-main event of UFC 132.
Despite his record of 2-5 over his last seven fights, fans are hoping to see that flash of brilliance ‘The Axe Murderer’ displayed in Japan, having recorded 22 victories and 15 knockouts fighting with PRIDE.
Speaking to ESPN, Silva was asked to compare fighting in the UFC to fighting in PRIDE. He noted that the UFC brings an entirely different energy to a fight, energy he uses to feed ‘The Axe Murderer’ once he’s locked in the cage against an opponent.
ESPN: How do you like being in UFC compared to Pride?
Silva:That was another time. The Fertittas (owners Frank and Lorenzo) and Dana White put this sport on another level. You fight in UFC today is totally different than fighting in UFC 10 years ago, or fighting in Japan. Totally different.ESPN: Better? Worse? The Pride period is romanticized by many people. Can you describe what it was like?
Silva:I watch the fights today, Shyna Aoki and JZ Calvacante in Dream. I saw a lot of chairs around the ring. I remember there used to be a million chairs around the ring and the roar. It’s a different energy and different style. In America man it’s crazy. The fans are crazy. (He mimics crazy fans, finishing each impression with a roar.) I’m one fighter inside the gym and I’m another fighter in the lights. I love the lights. The fans give me incredible energy. I was asked by a guy, “You are so nice, who are you so aggressive in the fight?” Man, I’m in the ring. The other guy looks at me, comes and punches me in the face. I want to kill him! Of course. I’ll be very mad!