Fabricio Werdum on Wanderlei Silva: 'I think his reputation is going to stay intact'

UFC heavyweight title challenger Fabricio Werdum isn’t convinced Wanderlei Silva‘s trouble with the Nevada State Athletic Commission will tarnish his career.

Werdum (18-5-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC), who coaches opposite champ Cain Velasquez (13-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) on “The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America” in advance of their UFC 180 title fight, told MMAjunkie “The Axe Murderer” has done enough to keep his reputation as a legend in MMA.

“Silva has done great things for the sport, to move the sport forward,” Werdum said through a translator. “If he wants to retire, he’s done well for himself. He’s made good money for his kids and his future.

“But if wants to come back, I think he always gives a good show. But he could hang up the gloves right now and he would be well loved.”

Right now, Silva’s gloves are on the shelf as he deals with the fallout from an out-of-competition drug test ordered by the NSAC prior to July’s UFC 175. Silva evaded an NSAC-hired tester in May and was scratched from a co-headliner with rival Chael Sonnen, who later failed two out-of-competition tests and retired from the sport.

Sonnen was suspended by the NSAC for two years, but Silva’s case remains pending. At a June commission meeting, he admitted to using a banned diuretic to treat an injury he suffered in an on-set brawl with Sonnen on “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3.” In early August, the NSAC filed a formal complaint against the fighter, asking that Silva be held responsible for his actions.

Since then, Silva’s lawyer has asked the commission to dismiss the complaint, claiming it had no jurisdiction over the fighter, who was unlicensed at the time, when it attempted to test him. This past week, the attorney general’s office filed a motion to deny the dismissal request, which can be seen here.

Silva, meanwhile, appears ready to jump back into the cage, despite a lack of support from the UFC. He told MMA Fighting that he wants a rematch with Vitor Belfort or Sonnen and also talked up another fight with Dan Henderson, with whom he split a pair of bouts under the now-defunct PRIDE banner.

“Henderson and I are 1-1, and it’s an interesting fight for any soccer stadium in Brazil,” he said.

Many fans and MMA observers are perplexed at Silva’s defiance given the circumstances, but Werdum said he stands by the former PRIDE champ, with whom he coached on “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.”

“I think his reputation is going to stay intact,” Werdum said. “He’s done a lot for the sport, and throughout his career, he’s moved the sport forward and he will always be remembered as a great champion.”

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(Pictured: Fabricio Werdum)