Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

UFC’s Silva trumpets trainer’s high-tech approach

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Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva

Beyond the Sun

The last time MMA fans may remember seeing Wanderlei Silva was when he was lying face down inside the Octagon at UFC 92, suffering a brutal knockout by the big left hand of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

But “The Axe Murderer” has been quite busy in his, um, downtime since that setback in December at the MGM Grand.

In addition to recently opening his own Las Vegas-based gym, Silva has lobbied UFC President Dana White for a super middleweight class (designated at the same 195-pound catch weight that his upcoming fight against Rich Franklin at UFC 99 is set for), and even lent a helping hand to a couple of amateur fighters training in his stable.

The burley Brazilian’s latest project is helping fellow countryman, friend, and trainer Rafael Alejarra launch www.mmaconditioning.tv — an interactive Web site that showcases the innovative training techniques Alejarra uses with Silva and fellow UFC standout Demian Maia.

“All of the fighters in the UFC compete at the highest technical level, so winning or losing a fight often comes down to who is the better physically conditioned fighter,” said Alejarra, who holds a degree in Physical Education Studies from Ulbra University in Brazil.

“This is a key factor to athletes in all sports, and I am always researching new ways and developing new training techniques to provide this critical competitive edge.”

Alejarra conducts his high-tech training, complete with a Hyperbaric tent, Hypoxia room replicating “Mountain air,” ice recovery room, and general fitness room at Silva’s new Wand Fight Team training center located at 4631 Dean Martin Dr.

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