Willing to box against Wanderlei Silva, Chael Sonnen and Rampage Jackson

LAS VEGAS – Mixed martial arts legend and now UFC Hall of Famer Wanderlei Silva is happy with his fighting career, but he plans to return to the ring to face a select few opponents.

The 48-year-old Silva has been one half of a number of historic rivalries, but two in particular could see a rematch if the other is willing to face him again. In fact, Silva would love to face his last MMA opponents, Chael Sonnen and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, in the boxing ring.

“I'd love to put on a show with Chael Sonnen,” Silva told MMA Junkie Radio through a translator during the radio segment at UFC X. “But it won't be a show for me. I'm there to knock him out.”

“The Axe Murderer” Silva may have made amends with Sonnen following their infamous brawl on the set of “The Ultimate Fighter” in Brazil, but that doesn't mean he's not interested in getting revenge on his former rival. Silva's penultimate MMA fight came in June 2017, when he lost a unanimous decision to Sonnen under the Bellator banner.

Add “Rampage” Jackson to the list of fights Silva would love to fight again, but their history goes much deeper.

Silva first faced “Rampage” at Pride in 2003, emerging victorious in a rematch a year later with the same result. The rivalry was reignited four years later at UFC 92, when Jackson got his revenge with a brutal knockout. Ten years later, “Rampage” defeated Silva again at Bellator 206 to even the score in the rivalry, but it would be Silva's final appearance.

If it were up to Silva, he would have a chance to break the tie with Jackson in the boxing ring.

“It's a really interesting fight,” Silva said. “It's two wins and two losses. I think we need to do a fifth fight.”

The 47-year-old Sonnen is coming off a draw with Anderson Silva in an exhibition boxing bout in Brazil last month, while the 46-year-old Jackson has not fought since a knockout loss to Emelianenko Fedor at Bellator 237 in 2019 but has recently discussed a fight with Shannon Briggs.