With Rafael WerneckLess than 10 days away from the Pride Middleweight Grand Prix first round, Wanderlei Silva is making the last adjustments for his opening bout against Hidehiko Yoshida on April 23rd. However, he took a little break and chatted with some fans via the internet from Curitiba, where the Chute Boxe headquarters are located. Asked what are the opponents he would love to face during the GP, Wanderlei Silva did not waste much time. ‘Yoshida, Vitor Belfort and Rogerio Minotouro’ said the middleweight champion. About these three fighters selected by Wand, Minotouro is the only one he’s never faced. While he defeated Yoshida in the Pride GP 2003 semifinal, Belfort was responsible for the single TKO loss in his career, during the UFC Brazilway back in October of 1998. The fans wanted to know if Wand thinks that Mark Hunt, who defeated him by judge’s decision at Pride Shockwave 2004, is capable of conquering the heavyweight belt. ‘Yes. He is a good athlete and if he improves his Jiu-Jistu skills he might be able to get a title shot’ says Wand. About friendship outside the ring, Wand told the fans that it is very difficult to develop a friendshly relationship. ‘Everything happens so fast and because of that I can’t name a friend, but Rodrigo ‘Minotauro’ is a guy who I usually talk more to’ confesses Silva. What is going to happen to Wanderlei Silva after his retirement from the rings ‘I intend to open an academy and get focused on it. May be I will help to organize some big events and turn MMA into a mainstream sport in Brazil’ ends the champion.
