Video Roundup: The Voice vs Wanderlei Silva

If your garbage cable company doesn’t carry HDNet (thanks, Time Warner) or if you had a hot date last night (yeah, right), you may have missed Michael Schiavello’s highly entertaining interview with Wanderlei Silva. Don’t worry, we got you covered. This lengthy, up-close look at “The Axe Murderer” showcases the jovial, caring personality that so bizarrely compliments the skull crushing beast we all know and love.  A few short notes and parts 2, 3, & 4 after the jump.
“The Voice” starts off with the famous photo of Wand and Shogun in a tender jiu jitsu embrace.   Fans not familiar with Wanderlei’s persona outside of the cage may fear for Shiavello’s life, but Wanderlei is a good sport about it, laughing it off and saying that he thinks the image was photoshopped.
Thrift and a negative body image brought Wanderlei to Chute Boxe. Silva was a chubby 13 year old  striking out with the ladies. He saw the results Capoeira had on his older brother’s body, but he couldn’t afford the lessons. Passing by Chute Boxe, he saw the more affordable prices and the rest is history.
Wanderlei discusses some of his early fights in Brazil, fighting much larger opponents and in tournaments.
Silva and Sakuraba are still friends to this day and even chat on the phone.



Pride used to pay fighters with a suitcase of cash. He was offered the fight with Mark Hunt with a day or two notice for double the pay.

Regarding Charles “Kid Kaos” Bennett’s assertion that he knocked Wandlei out backstage: “That’s secret. I’m not going to talk nothing about that.”, Silva says with a smile and a laugh.

Wandlei is torn about introducing stomps and soccer kicks to the UFC. He’s a big fan of the techniques, but thinks they may be a bit “too aggressive” for the audience.




Shiavello gets Silva to play his game: Knock Out, Choke Out, Wedgie, or Bowl of Fried Shrimp. It’s basically MFK with an MMA twist. Wand doesn’t really seem to harbor any ill will toward his victims, but the list goes like this:

Chuck: Bowl of Shrimp

Chael: Wedgie

Rampage: Choke

Henderson: KO

Shogun is the greatest Brazilian MMArtist of all time.

The old KO’ing Shogun for a puppy story is true.

Wanderlei says he has about 5-6 more years of fighting left in him. He’d like two fights a year.




Silva talks about the seminar where the kid goes for broke and gets slapped down for his trouble.

Wanderlei talks about his tattoos. His wife is a doctor; never would have guessed that.

Silva is a family man that helps his parents and siblings financially.

Reported by: Cage Potato