Issue 106
October 2013
The unknown fighters who left their mark on the records of MMA’s biggest stars
Artur Mariano remembers the day he beat ‘The Axe Murderer’ in just his third-ever MMA bout in September 1997
Years of dominance in the Pride FC promotion made Wanderlei Silva one of most feared comeptitors in MMA. His ability to knock out and smash the opponents he faced quickly became stuff of legend. However, before he would travel to Japan and become ‘The Axe Murderer’ he had his first taste of defeat at the hands of striker and training camp rival Artur Mariano. At the time, Mariano was only told he was facing a dangerous Muay Thai striker, but little did he know he would be the first man to defeat a future legend.
You met Wanderlei in the IVC 2 tournament final the same night as you made your MMA debut, correct?
“Yes, that day was my first foray into mixed martial arts. To get Wanderlei Silva in the final of IVC 2 tournament, I first had to beat Patrick Assalone and Mark Hall from the US, whilst he knocked out Sean Bourmet and Egidio Costa. Our fight was pretty much expected as we came from the two most respected Muay Thai schools in Brazil. I came from Boxe Thai from Master Luiz Alves in Rio de Janeiro, and he came from Chute Boxe and Master Rudimar Fedrigo in Parana. By the time I had good experience in Muay Thai, which I had starting training in 1985, years later I added jiu-jitsu. ”
Whilst Wanderlei has fought on to have almost 50 professional MMA fights, your own career was curtailed by injury after just seven bouts. What happened?
“Injury stopped my career in 1999. My last fight was in Holland at a UFO event, when I defeated Sean McCully by submission. But I had a very serious problem with my leg. Bubbles were being formed in my veins and those could have spread to my heart and stopped it from working.”
What did you know about Wanderlei before you fought?
“I knew he came from a Muay Thai background and a tough school in Chute Boxe, of course. My own school – Boxe Thai – had a long rivalry with the Chute Boxe team already. I knew it would be a war in the ring. Actually, there was a pretty big rivalry between our schools by that time.”
What was your game plan for the fight?
“I wanted to let him throw as many blows as possible, because he was aggressive.
Eventually his conditioning would fall slightly. I had a lot of resistance to blows. I could handle them well and that’s what happened, he wasn’t attacking much after nine minutes. Back then the rounds were 30 minutes long, it was a tough and balanced fight.”
What did you think of his abilities back then? Was he strong? Did he have good striking or grappling?
“Wanderlei had strong hands and strong knees, came very aggressive, and so did I. I’ve always had heavy hands and strong kicks. That’s what I did; worked the hard jab and low kicks to his legs. It was like two pitbulls fighting for 24 minutes straight with no protection.”
What was it like to get the TKO finish?
“Both me and Wanderlei were very worn out, had already come through two fights that night, and fought for 24 minutes of non-stop stand-up in the final match. It didn’t go to the ground at any time. So the end was wonderful, of course, because I won. It was a great feeling.”
How much did you get paid for the fight?
“The winner of the IVC grand prix earned $12,000, second place earned $4,000 and those who participated earned $1,000.”
Did you follow his career after you beat him?
“Sure, of course. Wanderlei has gone on to become one of the biggest legends in mixed martial arts, and even when I fought him I knew he was a special fighter and had a lot of potential.”
How does it feel to watch Wanderlei succeed knowing you beat him?
“I am very happy for the success he has had and he’s worked so hard for it, for sure. I definitely consider him to be one of the biggest names in MMA history. “
Artur Mariano vs Wanderlei Silva
IVC2 Tournament Final
September 1997
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