Wanderlei Silva is one of the most legendary fighters in mixed martial arts history. The Brazilian, nicknamed “The Axe Murderer”, is known for his aggressive style, devastating knockouts, and epic battles in PRIDE and UFC. However, his long and brutal career also took a toll on his face, which accumulated a lot of scar tissue, broken bones, and breathing problems. In 2009, Silva decided to undergo extensive facial surgery to fix these issues and start a new era in his career. Here is everything you need to know about Wanderlei Silva’s plastic surgery, why he did it, and how he looks now.
The Reasons Behind the Surgery
Silva revealed the reasons behind his surgery in a video blog he released in September 2009. He said that he had more than 200 stitches in the area of his eyes, and that his surgeon had to scrape his skull to remove the excess scar tissue. He explained that this was necessary to prevent him from getting cut so easily in his next fights, as he was suffering from big cuts even from minor scratches. He also said that he fixed his nose, which had been broken several times, most notably by Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic in 2006. He said that he had sleep apnea and snoring problems due to his nasal obstruction, and that he could now breathe better and sleep through the night. He also claimed that he felt very good after the surgery and that he was ready to start a new phase in his career.
The Reaction to the Surgery
The first photos of Silva after the surgery surfaced online in August 2009, and they caused a lot of speculation and controversy among MMA fans and media. Many people noticed that Silva’s eyes looked different, as if they were pulled back or lifted. Some speculated that he had done this to look younger or more handsome, while others criticized him for altering his iconic appearance. Silva denied these rumors and said that he did not care about his looks, but only about his health and performance. He said that the surgery was not cosmetic, but functional, and that he did not regret his decision. He also said that he was confident that his fans would support him regardless of his appearance.
The Impact of the Surgery
Silva returned to the octagon in February 2010, after a 10-month layoff due to the surgery. He faced Michael Bisping at UFC 110 in Australia, and won a unanimous decision in a close and exciting fight. He looked sharp and aggressive, and did not suffer any major cuts or injuries. He also received a lot of praise and respect from the fans and the media for his performance and his courage. Silva went on to fight six more times in the UFC, winning three and losing three. He had some memorable fights, such as his knockout of Cung Le at UFC 139, his rematch with Rich Franklin at UFC 147, and his trilogy with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at Bellator 206. He also had some controversies, such as his failed drug test and lifetime ban by the Nevada Athletic Commission in 2014, which was later reduced to three years. He retired from MMA in 2018, with a record of 35-14-1 (1 NC).
How He Looks Now
Silva is now 45 years old, and he still looks fit and healthy. He has maintained his muscular physique and his trademark tattoos. His face, however, has changed a lot since his surgery. His eyes are still noticeably different, and his nose is more straight and narrow. He also has some wrinkles and signs of aging, which are normal for his age. He does not seem to be bothered by his appearance, and he still smiles and poses for photos with his fans and friends. He also keeps himself busy with various projects, such as his own gym, his YouTube channel, and his podcast. He is still involved in the MMA scene, and he occasionally makes appearances and comments on fights and fighters. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential fighters of all time, and he is admired and respected by his peers and fans alike.
