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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Wanderlei Silva tried to turn back the clock on his career this weekend in Japan, knocking out Brian Stann in a furiously paced and exciting brawl at UFC on Fuel 8. The win was another major highlight in what has been a very up and down run for "The Axe Murderer," and it came in a country where he's known a lot of success.
As a former Pride Champion and Grand Prix winner, Silva is very familiar with the Japanese audience, and he was thrilled to be back there this weekend.
"I feel really happy," Silva said after the event (via MMAJunkie.com). "I don't know what happens in Japan, but it makes me feel young.
"I'm happy to fight in Japan again. I have the best moments in my life here, and today is one more. I feel the energy here, the energy of the Brazilian fans, the Japanese fans. I feel really happy to fight over here."
Despite picking up a big win to extend his career, Silva's not sure how long he'll continue. UFC President Dana White had wanted him to retire almost two years ago when he was viciously stopped by Chris Leben, but he's won two of his next three, and thinks he's got a little left in him.
"I'm fighting one fight at a time right now," Silva said. "I feel healthy. A couple of injuries are normal, you know? I know sooner or later I'm going to need to stop this job, but I'm happy for this feeling and this energy from my fans.
"I'm so happy to make a show for the fans. I'm so glad to make my fans happy around the world."
That worldly traveling is something he hopes to do again before he retires, as he said he'd like one more chance to fight in Japan after this win.
"I had a dream before I retired to fight in Brazil and fight here," Silva said. "I'm so glad the UFC gave me the opportunity to fight one last time in Brazil and fight here. I hope the UFC will give me a chance to come back here."
Penick's Analysis: This is a spot where it would make perfect sense if the UFC wanted to allow him to return to Japan once more. He's not in title contention, so throw him in a fun matchup with a fighter game to engage in a brawl the likes of which he had with Stann. Not a fighter concerned about what's going to happen if they lose, just someone who is ready to leave everything in the cage. Put that one on top of one of the four events the UFC hopes to run in Asia this year, and you've got a ready-made headliner for another Fuel card.
[Wanderlei Silva art by Cory Gould © MMATorch.com]
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Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_16124.shtml
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