Just hours after a $375 million UFC antitrust settlement received preliminary approval, MMA legend Wanderlei Silva announced plans to launch a cryptocurrency token called “WAND” on the Solana blockchain.
The timing of Silva’s announcement comes as former UFC stars like him could receive substantial payouts from the settlement of Cung Le et al. v. Zuffa, which U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware preliminarily approved on Thursday. The case involves UFC stars who competed between December 2010 and June 2017, with some expected to receive over $1 million from the settlement.
Silva, who competed in 12 UFC bouts during his career, recently filed a legal declaration supporting the settlement, citing numerous health issues from his MMA career including potential traumatic brain injury (TBI), multiple surgeries, and ongoing medical concerns.
“While fighting for the UFC, I suffered many significant injuries, including concussions. I fear that during my career I have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) and am noticing symptoms common with TBI and CTE including depression, mood swings, and irritability…. I suffer from sleep apnea and have difficulty sleeping and breathing. That I can recall, I have had four surgeries on my nose, 1 on my face, 2 on my left knee, 1 on my right knee and 1 on my elbow…. These funds would also allow me to obtain the healthcare I need and keep a roof over my head and food on my table. The sad reality is that funds years from now may be of no use to me. I desperately need these funds now.” (attached at Exhibit 9 to the Supp. Joint Decl.).. “these funds with my family now.”
“This would truly be life-changing money for me and for other members of the class,” Silva stated in his court declaration.
The Brazilian has faced recent financial challenges. In May 2023, Silva made headlines when he publicly requested fans send him money through Brazil’s Pix payment system to help cover gambling debts from soccer bets. He has also unsuccessfully campaigned for political office in Brazil in both 2018 and 2022.
The settlement still requires final approval from Judge Boulware, who will schedule a fairness hearing to consider any objections. Fighters will have the opportunity to opt out of the settlement to preserve their right to bring individual lawsuits, though doing so would mean forfeiting their share of the settlement.
Silva, known as “The Axe Murderer” during his career, retired in 2018 after a loss to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. His prestigious career included notable victories over stars like Dan Henderson, Kazushi Sakuraba, and Michael Bisping.
