7 Times MMA fighters were the victims of vehicular accidents

#3 Wanderlei Silva

A savage in the cage, but still didn’t forget his helmet

The MMA fraternity’s heart skipped a beat last May when it was learnt that Wanderlei Silva had been struck by a car while cycling home from training in his hometown of Curitiba. According to a man who came to Silva’s aid, it seemed as though “the Axe Murderer” had crossed over to the other side before rushing back to consciousness.

The helmet that inarguably saved Silva’s life was cracked in two and the worst of it? The offender sped off in the blink of an eye. In Silva’s own words,

“I could have died if I weren’t using a helmet. That made me rethink my life and made me grow a lot. Live well because it’s over soon. God bless you -- and if you’re riding a bike, use a helmet because we never know when we’re going to need it."

The PRIDE legend underwent shoulder and knee surgery and is eyeing a comeback, in Bellator.