Photo: Josh Hedges.
“Today’s my 14th anniversary as a professional MMA fighter. I thank all my fans,” announces Wanderlei over Twitter.
Indeed, the fighter made his debut on November 1, 1996 against Dílson Filho at the Brasileiro de Vale-Tudo 1 event, where other notable participants put in appearances, like José Pelé Landi, Jorge Patino Macaco, Jorge Pereira, and Johil de Oliveira among others. Wand won his bout by knockout 3:35 minutes into the fight.
Since then he has amassed 33 wins, ten losses, one draw, one no contest, 23 knockouts, three submissions, Pride FC belts, triumphs over Quinton Jackson, Ricardo Arona, Dan Henderson, Kazushi Sakuraba… Such results and attitudes have, over the years, made the “Axe Murderer” into not just one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, but one of the greatest idols in the style worldwide.
Wand and Cordeiro. Photo: publicity.
Relembrando passado e falando do presente e futuro, Wand postou recentemente um vídeo com o treinador Rafael Cordeiro, que viveu grande parte das glórias ao seu lado.
Remembering the past and addressing the future, Wand recently posted a video with trainer Rafael Cordeiro, who was by his side for a big part of his glorious achievements.
“We’ve known each other a long time. We know everything about each other (laughs)! Cut!”
“For the importance of the fight and the technique displayed, Werdum’s submission over Fedor should be, without a shadow of a doubt, the submission of the decade!”
“Our aim now is to regroup. Come train with us, Shogun. Shogun, come. We’ll put together first-rate training for you. I’ll do whatever I can do to help. He’s my idol in MMA…”
“I think Anderson’s going to strike fear into Belfort. Belfort already chickened out the first time! Anderson, whatever you need, I’m at your disposal…”
“In his last fight, Anderson was finally baptized in the beatdown because, up until then, no one had ever touched him. He proved he’s a man and proved to the whole world he deserves his belt. He was a man and had the cool head a champion must have during a tough moment…”
Watch the complete conversation: