“Most violent fighter to do it” – Wanderlei ‘Axe Murderer’ Silva getting inducted into Hall of Fame at UFC 298 makes fans emotional

The 'Axe Murderer' snuffs out another accolade, as Former PRIDE champ Wanderlei Silva joins 2024 UFC Hall of Fame class.

“Most violent fighter to do it” – Wanderlei ‘Axe Murderer’ Silva getting inducted into Hall of Fame at UFC 298 makes fans emotional

Wanderlei Silva is the new UFC Hall of Fame inductee for 2024 class (Source: Instagram)

UFC history sees the ridicule or spectacle of many Octagon monikers. ‘Notorious‘, ‘Reaper‘, ‘Tarzan‘, and ‘Predator‘ are only some. But, when you go by something like the ‘Axe Murderer‘, it’s a given that you carry a gruesome repertoire behind it. Consequently enough, Wanderlei Silva does. So much so that color commentator Joe Rogan once lauded just his staredown with Mirko Cro Cop. He considered it the best staredown in MMA history. Silva, one of MMA’s fiercest competitors, is entering the UFC Hall of Fame this spring.

UFC CEO Dana White announced Silva’s entry for the Pioneer Wing of the 2024 HOF Class. Wanderlei Silva (35-14-1), is a former PRIDE FC champ and 12-fight veteran for the promotion. Silva holds PRIDE accolades for most wins, KOs, defenses, and longest win streak; additionally, his violent career run in UFC is noteworthy too. The Brazilian made his UFC debut back in Oct. 1998.

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Despite an initial skid, he went on to lock horns with Michael Bisping, Cung Le, Rich Franklin, and Brian Stann. His highlight win over Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson is also a famed affair. And how could one ever forget his enmity with “Bad Guy” Chael Sonnen? The duo delivered on an all-time great trash-talking promo back in 2011. His HOF induction has thus garnered much traction from peers and fans.

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A prime reaction on X noted – “One of the most violent fighters to ever do it. Congratulations.” Silva also joins the pioneer wing along the likes of legends Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Don Frye, Matt Serra, Anderson Silva, and others. The fight bubble has accordingly reacted to it.

Fight fans react to Wanderlei Silva’s induction to the 2024 HOF

The UFC’s second pay-per-view of 2024 was a memorable affair at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. It consequently saw a change of guard in the featherweight division. There were other memorable moments as well. From billionaire Mark Zuckerberg’s attendance and squeamish reaction to the title fight. To a jaw-dropping edgy co-mains between middleweights Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa, courtesy of lots of eye pokes, spinning heel kicks, and brawl. And not to mention Mackenzie Dern’s brutal and bloody face transformation.

Wanderlei Silva for UFC HOF 2024 class
Wanderlei Silva for UFC HOF 2024 class (Source: ufcfightpass.com/UFC.go.com/Instagram, @pride_fc)

But one thing that won the hearts of Anaheim fans early on at UFC 298 was Wanderlei Silva’s induction to the 2024 Hall of Fame class. Silva, 47, joins former UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar as the second fighter for the 2024 class.

And here’s how fans have reacted to it:

A plethora of fans have unanimously lauded his unmatched violence as a fighter in his prime. Additionally, they have also referred to the PRIDE FC alum’s enmity to Chael Sonnen. Barring their momentous clashes, they also happen to have one of the best face-offs at TUF: Brazil 3. So much so that Hollywood’s highest-paid debutant Conor McGregor’s dialogue now resembles the iconic moment of ‘The American Gangster‘.

It’s a safe bet to say that Wanderlei Silva is, and will remain a legend in the books of MMA history, attributing to all the little titbits and violent altercations in his stockpile. For which, he has now been consequently recognized.

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