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10/12/09 - Wanderlei splits from conditioning coach
Wanderlei Silva and Rafael Alejarra have ended their partnership after almost four years of conditioning training together, according to the Brazilian magazine Graciemag. Alejarra also cornered The Axe Murderer when they moved to Las Vegas after Silva signed a contract with UFC. No official statement has been made from them.
Despite criticism regarding the physical condition of Silva since the union with Rafael, Wanderlei showed a good performance against Chuck Liddell, a three-round war that marked his debut in the organization. The following two presentations - versus Keith Jardine and Quinton Jackson - were over too quickly to allow analysis of his cardio aspect, although he had somewhat gassed out against Rich Franklin when he was defeated by unanimous decision at UFC 99.
Rafael Alejarra helped to set up Wand Gym in Las Vegas where lots of fighters of all weight classes joined the academy to train with famed names like Demian Maia, Fabricio Werdum, Andre Galvao and jiu-jitsu expert Xande Ribeiro.
In Brazil, Silva has gone though criticism from some fans for his focus on the gym, physical conditioning and business instead of improving his wrestling or boxing skills, crucial weapons to perform inside the Octagon. The finish of his relationship with Alejarra might be a sign of a return back to the unforgettable presentations of Wand in PRIDE FC.
Ex-Chute Boxe coach Rafael Cordeiro is now training Wanderlei again at the Las Vegas gym and it is widely hoped that they can make a revival of Chute Boxe’s golden times, when Silva was known as Mr Pride for his courage and unstoppable searching for knockout victories. No name for a replacement conditioning coach has yet been put forward.
John Joe O’Regan
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