Wanderlei Silva Signs With Bellator MMA

MMA legend and longtime UFC veteran “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva is headed to Bellator MMA. Silva has signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator. The news was first broke byaccording to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.

Silva was given a lifetime ban by the NSAC back in May of 2015 because he evaded a drug test in connection with a planned fight against Chael Sonnen at UFC 175 in 2014. Silva appealed the suspension and had been in and out of hearings with the commission since then.

Silva’s case was heard again last month by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Silva did not appear at the hearing but was represented by his longtime attorney, Ross Goodman. The commission voted to lift the ban and instead suspend Silva for three years.

He is eligible to apply for a license on May 25, 2017, which is when he will be able to fight again in the United States.

Silva (35-12-1-1) is 3-2 in his last five bouts and is coming off a win over Brian Stann in May of 2013 by second round KO.

Bellator confirmed the signing via a press release.