Biography(references)Wanderlei César da Silva is a Brazilian-American former mixed martial artist who competed in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships and the American-based Ultimate Fighting Championship . He holds the record for the most wins, knockouts, title defenses and longest winning streak in PRIDE history. He is the former PRIDE Middleweight Champion and the 2003 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion.
Combat ApproachSilva was famous for his brawling, relentless style of Muay Thai, which was described as being "feral" and carrying "a terrifying ferocity". His main strength was his offensive striking and use of hooks, soccer kicks and stomps. Though his grappling expertise was initially considered inferior to his striking skills due to his preference for ground and pound, he had a refined Brazilian jiu-jitsu transitional game.
Fighter Trivia(references)After years of living in the United States, Silva moved back to his hometown, Curitiba in Brazil. In 2018, Silva admitted that he has been bearing symptoms consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and has expressed a wish to donate his brain for research. On 8 October 2020, Sem Coleira, a Portuguese biography book about Silva was published.
Awards & Accolades
UFC: Fight of the Night (Five times)
UFC: Knockout of the Night (Two times)
Pride Fighting Championships: Pride Middleweight Championship (One time, first)
Pride Fighting Championships: 2003 Pride Middleweight World Grand Prix Championship
Pride Fighting Championships: 2005 Pride Middleweight World Grand Prix Semi-finalist
Pride Fighting Championships: 2006 Pride Openweight World Grand Prix Semi-finalist
Pride Fighting Championships: Saku Championship belt winner
Pride Fighting Championships: First Fighter in Pride Fighting Championships history to win a Pride Championship and Pride Grand Prix
Pride Fighting Championships: Most wins in PRIDE FC history (22)
Pride Fighting Championships: Longest undefeated streak in PRIDE FC history (20)
Pride Fighting Championships: Most knockouts in PRIDE FC history (15)
Pride Fighting Championships: Tied (Mirko Cro Cop) for most finishes in PRIDE FC history (16)
Pride Fighting Championships: Most successful title defenses in PRIDE FC history (4)
Pride Fighting Championships: Most successful title defenses in the history of PRIDE FC Middleweight division (4)
Pride Fighting Championships: Most consecutive successful titles defenses in PRIDE FC history (4)
Pride Fighting Championships: Most consecutive successful title defenses in the history of PRIDE FC Middleweight division (4)
International Vale Tudo Championship: IVC Light heavyweight Championship (One time)
Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2001 Feud of the Year vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2001 Most Outstanding Fighter
Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2003 Fight of the Year vs. Hidehiko Yoshida on 9 November
Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2004 Fight of the Year vs. Quinton Jackson on 31 October
Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2004 Most Outstanding Fighter
Sports Illustrated: 2004 Knockout of the Decade vs. Quinton Jackson on 31 October 2004
MMAFighting.com: 2004 Light heavyweight of the Year
MMAFighting.com: 2013 Best Fight of the Half-Year vs. Brian Stann
Full Fight | Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva - Bellator 206
Full Fight | Chael Sonnen vs Wanderlei Silva | Bellator 180
Rampage Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva IV Highlights
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Fight Outcomes - WinsLosses
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