Joe Rogan has always been a big admirer of the man whom they call ‘The Axe Murderer’.
His ferocious performances in PRIDE earned Wanderlei Silva a reputation for being one of the most violent and aggressive men in MMA.
Fellow PRIDE and UFC icon Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson previously stated that everyone was scared of Silva following his remarkable run in Japan.
Having fought several times inside the Octagon before he started to achieve huge success, Silva’s return to the UFC didn’t get off to a great start.
On this day in 2008, he looked to bounce back from a decision loss to Chuck Liddell by reminding everyone what he was truly capable of at UFC 84.
Joe Rogan said Keith Jardine was ‘mercifully saved’ from Wanderlei Silva at UFC 84
UFC 84 on May 24 of 2008 was an important date for Wanderlei Silva who was coming off of three consecutive losses for the first time in his career.
‘The Axe Murderer’ had his back up against the wall but that only made him more dangerous heading into the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Silva’s second outing inside the Octagon since returning to the promotion came against Keith Jardine at light heavyweight.
‘The Dean of Mean’ had beaten Chuck Liddell via split decision last time out and he looked to carry that momentum into another win over a legend of the sport.
Photo by: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Just 20 seconds into the fight, Silva unleashed a trademark flurry of punches with a second one 5 seconds later dropping Jardine down to his knees.
The American got back to his feet but the relentless Brazilian sent him back down to the canvas with some devastating follow-up shots ending the fight in just 36 seconds.
Joe Rogan said when watching the replays that referee Steve Mazzagatti had “mercifully saved” Jardine from taking any more punishment, going on to credit Silva’s ability to put opponents away.
“Keith’s in big trouble here and Wanderlei swarms on him. He’s got probably the best killer and instinct and finishing of any fighter in MMA. If he’s got you hurt, he swarms on you.”
Wanderlei Silva’s UFC career didn’t live up to his run in PRIDE
While he produced some memorable finishes and great clashes, Wanderlei Silva’s return to the UFC didn’t live up to the success that he had in PRIDE.
The Brazilian icon went unbeaten for four years in the promotion where he solidified his status as a legend of the sport.
Photo by Zuffa LLC
Following his win over Keith Jardine at UFC 84, Silva would compete 7 more times inside the Octagon, going 3-4 in this stint.
Regardless, Silva was inducted into the pioneer wing of the UFC Hall of Fame last year having not fought since 2018.
Have to put Shogun and Ninja in there as the 2nd and 3rd respectively
Wand would immediately transition to another move if you were hurt. No wait and see, he already had the next move planned.
Shogun would instantly fly through the air and land on your face. No hesitation.
Ill add Vitor into the mix
Yes but could he do that on a cold rainy night in Stoke?!
Wand was a rare breed.
I have a theory - that, as violent as MMA is - the guys within the cage generally don’t want to harm their opponents. Winning is the aim… not damage. Sure, you have to hurt your opponent to win, but that becomes a necessary evil.
Wand always felt like a guy who revelled in the violence. Every shot was thrown with bad intentions. If you were KO’d on the mat and the referee hadn’t called the fight, you were getting a hammer-fist through your face regardless.
Some guys are just born different. Wand was a killer.
I wonder what his childhood was like?
I have known people who were bullied or short as a kid carry on some kind of mean streak throughout their adult life!
GSP has said this about himself. He basically hated mma in general, but did it since he was so good at it and could make a lot of money
Agree with this- think Dan Henderson falls into this category as well.
He doesnt have the swarming killer instinct like the other 3 but definitely a mean streak, and will (and has done) land additional non required shots.
Vanderlai’s old vale tudo fights were fucking vicious. He was like an animal against Van Arsdale. Mad him quit. Kicks, punches, stomps, elbows, knees, headbutts, soccer kicks. All bare knuckle
Him and Hendo get dropped a lot. Excellent at recovery so if you celebrate or sleep on it the comeback will be hell for their opponents.
Vanderlai had a great quote leading into a fight; “Someone is getting knocked out. Maybe him. Maybe me. But there will be a knockout”
He was exciting and did go for it. He threw caution to the win.
I knew a guy that wanted to get into MMA. He had KO power and was a good grappler. I heard he sparred with Wanderlei and decided not to pursue MMA!
Wand was a killer.. and had a pretty good sprawl as well
I miss those days of kill or be killed fights.. not this karate point fighting shit we have now
Ralph
Wanderlei I hated back in the early 2000s.. but grew to love him as a fighter. There are so few in MMA like him anymore just athletes, not fighters.
