Getting to know the Ax Murderer

PHOTO: Wanderlei Silva writes out Aaron's name on his palm to be sure he signs the Hooters holder correctly for Mikela. He is just an all-around nice guy!!!

PHOTO: Pensacola Mayor Mike Wiggins presents the key to the city to mixed martial arts fighter Wanderlei Silva at Paradise Gardens, 508 W. Gregory St. To the right of the mayor is martial arts instructor Alex Silva Ruas, who has a studio at this address. The Hooters girls are on the left side of the photo, and the gentleman in the red shirt was kind enough to escort us into Wanderlei's cottage to get a photo signed for my son.

My son Aaron called me early yesterday and asked me if I am friends with the owner of Paradise Gardens down the street from me. Yes. Well, he said, Wanderlei Silva will be there with the mayor. Who? You know, he said, the ax murderer. No, I don't know any ax murderers named Silva, I said. Mom, he's an MMA fighter. Hmm! I said, what's that? Mixed martial arts, you know, I've told you about it. I went to a fight in Biloxi, he said. Oh, yeah, so what do you want me to do? I said. Get an autograph or an autographed photo for me because I can't leave the dealership (my son manages the Nissan dealership in Pensacola). As good as done, I said.

So this morning at 7:30, I walked Frisco past the Gardens. Lots of activity, time to get a move on. Mikela dressed quickly and we wandered over there. Mostly martial arts types, but Neil Richards of the Belmont Arts Center came through, and we talked to Freddie, who helps run the Mexican import shop on the property, until the mayor and his guest came in.

Mayor Mike Wiggins gave Wanderlei Silva the key to the city, the first Brazilian to be given this honor in any city, according to what I heard. The martial artist speaks mostly Portuguese, and his Pensacola host, martial arts instructor Alex Silva Ruas, interpreted what he said. It was a good speech, talking about knowing when to fight and when not to fight. Silva would be speaking to at-risk teens at the Methodist church at T St. and DeSoto later on, and the minister was on hand to encourage everyone to bring their kids to this event.

We didn't get in a good spot for photos at first, but Mikela worked her way to the front and took some really nice shots. Then we got in line with a Hooters can holder one of the girls gave us and figured we could get him to sign that. When Mik asked him to write To Aaron, he couldn't quite catch the spelling so he wrote Aaron's name on his palm as she spelled it. I have a picture of that moment at the top of this page.

Wanderlei Silva holds the key to the city of Pensacola.

Mayor Mike Wiggins poses with Mikela. Afterwards, he bought her some GatorAde from Freddie at the concession stand behind them.

Desi, who owns Paradise Gardens, enjoys a photo op moment with Wanderlei Silva and his wife.

Once we had enough photos, we took the memory card to Walgreens and had two 8X10s of this photo printed. Note that Silva is holding the Hooters holder with Aaron's name. By the time we got back, Wanderlei had already gone inside the cottage, but the gentleman in the red shirt (see top photo) escorted us into the cottage for the silver signatures for Aaron AND Mikela. I also got to see Desi's new hair color up-close - gorgeous! We put the photos into two frames and delivered Aaron's photo and Hooters holder to him at work. He was all smiles - we should have gotten a photo of this!! Oh, well. Mik and I stopped by Taco Rock and ordered two of the best burritos in town to go. A great reward for a job well done. Thanks, Mr. Ax Murderer, for making our assignment such a pleasant one!

Here are examples of when Wanderlei Silva fights. Dang, he's scary.



Mikela took the above video in which Wanderlei Silva credits martial arts for his success in life.