Brian Stann lands a kick to the chest of Chris Leben during Stann's first-round TKO victory at UFC 125. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
It sounds like Brian Stann will get his wish.
The former Marine captain said after his victory at UFC 125 that he’d like to fight MMA legend Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva next, and UFC President Dana White told mmafighting.com that he believes the two will indeed meet sometime in the spring when Silva returns from a knee injury.
Stann is coming off the biggest win of his MMA career, a first-round demolition of Chris Leben. The victory has rocketed Stann’s visibility in the UFC middleweight division, and Silva — easily the most decorated opponent he’s faced yet — represents a big step toward becoming a title contender.
With a pro record of 33-10-1 and wins against some of the top fighters in the UFC and the now-defunct Pride organization, Silva is one of the most accomplished and popular fighters in MMA history. The Brazilian won the middleweight title twice in Pride and had a five-year unbeaten streak during his time there.
The brutality and sheer number of Silva’s fights have taken a toll on Silva, and the general consensus is that while still dangerous, he’s no longer anywhere near the force he once was. Since returning to the UFC in 2007, Silva is 2-3, winning last his last fight in Feb. 2010 against Michael Bisping. Silva had knee surgery after that fight and also suffered three broken ribs last year, which forced him to withdraw from UFC 116 and has kept him from the Octagon since then.
