JAPAN: ULTIMATE FIGHTING - UFC Light Heavyweight champion Wandelei Silva knocks out challenger Brian Stann and says he is not about to retire

Record ID: 466966

  • Title: JAPAN: ULTIMATE FIGHTING - UFC Light Heavyweight champion Wandelei Silva knocks out challenger Brian Stann and says he is not about to retire
  • Date: 3rd March 2013
  • Summary: SAITAMA PREFECTURE, JAPAN (MARCH 3, 2013) (REUTERS) NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRAZILIAN LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION WANDERLEI SILVA SAYING: "I don't know what's happened in Japan but makes me feel young again." PROMOTIONAL POSTER FOR UFC JAPAN 2013 SILVA VERSUS STANN BOUT (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRAZILIAN LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION WANDERLEI SILVA SAYING: "Sooner or later I'm going to need to stop this job but I'm happy for giving this, this feeling, this energy from my fans, make the show for my fans. I'm so happy for making all the guys happy in that moment. Man, I'm so glad for make my fans happy around the world." MORE OF NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRAZILIAN LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION WANDERLEI SILVA SAYING: "He's a strong guy, wild, you know he came to fight. You know, no going away, no going around, he'd be there to do the job. I like to fight with guys like that. I'm so proud to fight with him. Thanks Stann for fighting with me, you was a tough guy and I'm so happy for the win." MORE OF NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS BRAZILIAN LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT JAPAN 2013 CHAMPION WANDERLEI SILVA NEWS CONFERENCE ENDING AND AUDIENCE APPLAUDING AS FIGHTERS EXIT STAGE
  • Embargoed: 18th March 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA7YFK61KCTRQ1WCRCAZP17AEAK
  • Story Text: More than 14, 000 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fans attended a day of fighting bouts in Saitama arena, half an hour outside Tokyo, on Sunday (March 3) with the title match between Brazilian Wanderlei Silva and American Brian Stann ending in a knock-out by mixed martial arts veteran Silva.
    The headlining bout between Silva and Stann for the light-heavyweight title was the first ever match-up between long-time fan favourite Silva and former military serviceman Stann.
    Silva declared at a news conference on Thursday (February 28) that he'd knock out his opponent in three rounds. The championship bout on Sunday ended in two when Stann stumbled to the mat of the octagon following a powerful one-two punch combination.
    Famous for his aggressive fight style and strong fists, many have wondered if the 36-year-old Brazilian, nicknamed "The Axe Murderer" could be past his prime.
    "I don't know what's happened in Japan but makes me feel young again," a smiling Silva told members of the Japanese and foreign media.
    And while Silva did acknowledge at some point he'd have to retire, for now he is enjoying his latest victory.
    "Sooner or later I'm going to need to stop this job but I'm happy for giving this, this feeling, this energy from my fans, make the show for my fans. I'm so happy for making all the guys happy in that moment, man I'm so glad for make my fans happy around the world," Silva said.
    Silva showed fine sportsmanship and respect for his combatant Brian Stann, complimenting Stann's offensive fight style.
    "He's a strong guy, wild, you know he came to fight, you know, no going away, no going around, he'd be there to do the job. I like to fight with guys like that. I'm so proud to fight with him. Thanks Stann for fighting with me, you was a tough guy and I'm so happy for the win," Silva said.
    This bout against Stann marks Silva's 35th win.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register