Despite this epic video, Wanderlei Silva won’t be fighting Chael Sonnen at UFC 167. However, “The Axe Murderer” wants to face his long-time rival when he returns to the Octagon.
Wanderlei Silva is already back to training after a few injures that had him sidelined since his second-round TKO win over Brian Stann in Japan, and he doesn’t rule out fighting again this year.
“I’m back to training already, and I will be ready to fight soon,” Silva told MMAFighting.com. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to fight this year, depends on what happens. With the way things are going now in the UFC, you have to be ready to fight anytime they call you. During war times, you have to keep your guns always clean.”
It isn’t a surprise who Silva wants to face next in the UFC.
“I talked to the boss and said that I can fight Sonnen in Brazil or in Oregon,” he said. “I want to beat him in front of all his friends. I want them to watch how bad I will destroy him. I’d be down to fight in his backyard. You can call all his friends. I want Sonnen to feel ashamed of how bad he’ll be beaten by me.”
Following a first-round win over Mauricio Rua at UFC Fight Night 26, Sonnen meets another former UFC light heavyweight champion as he takes on Rashad Evans on Nov. 16, and the outcome of that bout won’t change Silva’s mind.
“I would fight him if he wins or loses against Rashad,” he said. “I have no problems with that. I’m not that type of guy that only accepts a fight when a guy is coming off a win. That’s an interesting fight and I will have to be ready because he’s a good athlete, and I want to be able to do everything that the fans expect me to do against him: beat his ass.”
However, Silva hopes to meet a “healthy” Sonnen in the UFC after what he predicts to be a one-sided beating delivered by Evans.
“Rashad will destroy him,” said Silva. “I hope he leaves something for me. He won’t get past the second round against Rashad. Rashad will break him, and I’m rooting for Rashad to win.”