This past weekend, Wanderlei Silva was supposed to face Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 116, but was forced to pull out of the bout due to accumulative injuries, including torn ligaments in his knee and cracked ribs sustained during a training session getting ready for the event.
Despite the injuries, “The Axe Murderer” had to be convinced by those closest to him to finally pull the plug on the bout, as he had every intention of fighting Akiyama with a severe knee injury.
Silva is scheduled to have surgery on the damaged knee next week, and will likely be out of action until spring of 2011.
ProMMAnow.com sat down with Silva following his seminar at Nashville MMA on Saturday to talk about UFC 116, Chris Leben calling him out, and what it takes to be a champion.
Silva had a message for Leben, “Hands up!” Otherwise, Silva says he will finish Leben in the first round.
Silva, who is an MMA legend and fan favorite, accommodated each and every fan request at the seminar with a handshake and a smile until the very last fan had left the gym with pictures and autographed memorabilia.
Wanderlei is always such a class act. It’s no wonder he has such a strong following. He’s a great credit to the sport.