reduced to a three-year suspension retroactive to 24 May 2014. He was eligible for reinstatement beginning 25 May 2017. The ban would not prevent Silva from competing at Indian Casinos or in Japan. After four years away from the sport, Silva made his delayed Bellator debut against Chael Sonnen in the main event at Bellator NYC on 24 June 2017. Silva lost a unanimous decision. On 25 June 2018, Bellator MMA announced that Silva would face Rampage Jackson in a fourth match on 29 September 2018 at Bellator 206. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two. On 29 September 2019, news surfaced that Silva's contract with Bellator had expired. On September 1, 2022 Silva officially announced his retirement from MMA, expressing interest in boxing, calling out Dan Henderson. Fighting style Silva was famous for his brawling, relentless style of Muay Thai, which was described as being "feral" and carrying "a terrifying ferocity". His main strength was his offensive striking and use of hooks, soccer kicks and stomps. Silva was also willing to absorb counters in order to continue landing his own hits. He was also dangerous in the clinch, utilizing an onslaught of short hooks and knee strikes. Silva was also known for his use of headbutts when the rules allowed. Though his grappling expertise was initially considered inferior to his striking skills due to his preference for ground and pound, he had a refined Brazilian jiu-jitsu transitional game. Personal life Silva and his wife have a son, Thor. He has a daughter from a previous relationship. On 26 August 2012 Silva's father, Holando Pinheiro da Silva, died in a car accident in Brazil. In April 2016, Silva became an American citizen. After years of living in the United States, Silva moved back to his hometown, Curitiba in Brazil. In 2018, Silva admitted that he has been bearing symptoms consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and has expressed a wish to donate his brain for research. On 8 October 2020, Sem Coleira, a Portuguese biography book about Silva was published. Wand Fight Team Wand Fight Team is a mixed martial arts training organization headed by Wanderlei Silva. It was founded in 2009 in Las Vegas, with a former franchise in Pensacola, Florida. The Las Vegas location features several famous MMA Instructors, including, Leandro Lorenco (BJJ), Michael Costa (Muay Thai & MMA), Pete Martin (Kids Wrestling & Fitness) and