Wanderlei Silva to Bellator: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Hoping to get his career back on track, Wanderlei Silva will be fighting for Bellator after the two sides agreed to a contract Wednesday.   

According to Bellator's official press release, Silva's deal with the promotion is "an exclusive multiyear, multifight contract."

Silva has gone through the gamut since his last fight against Brian Stann in March 2013. He was poised to fight Chael Sonnen at UFC 173 after the two served as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. 

Sonnen failed a drug test in June 2014 and retired from competition soon after. Three months later, per John Morgan and Dann Stupp of MMAJunkie.com, Silva received a fine and a lifetime ban from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for refusing to submit to drug tests. 

After the NSAC ban was announced, Silva posted a video message blasting the UFC, and he announced his retirement from the sport:

In May 2015, Nevada district court judge Kerry Earley overturned Silva's lifetime ban and fine. Earley ordered Silva to appear before the NSAC for a new hearing on the decision. Per ESPN.com's Brett Okamoto in February, the NSAC changed Silva's lifetime ban to a three-year suspension retroactive to May 2014. 

In January, per Steven Marrocco of MMAJunkie.com, Silva's attorney confirmed that the UFC had agreed to release the 39-year-old after he issued a public apology for accusing the UFC of "fight-fixing."

Even though Silva won't be able to apply for a license to fight in Nevada until 2017, he's eligible to fight anywhere else that Bellator might hold events. Bellator's press release does not specify who his first opponent will be, though it does note his history of fighting at various weight classes. 

Silva is a legend in mixed martial arts, holding the record for most wins in Pride (22), but he will have to prove there's more gas left in the tank after such a prolonged absence. He also wasn't rolling in the UFC, owning a 4-7 career record in 11 fights. 

Yet, Silva's name recognition is huge for Bellator, which is still trying to build an identity and escape the shadow of the UFC. If he is able to bring in casual fans, this will be a huge win for the eight-year-old promotion.