words // Brandon Richard
The world's top pound-for-pound mixed martial artist, Anderson "The Spider" Silva, continues to show us why he is in a class of his own. According to a report from Sherdog.com, Silva recently signed an endorsement deal with Nike, which would make him the first Brazilian mixed martial artist sponsored by the brand. While no terms have been disclosed, Nike Brazil Director of Sports Marketing Luis Alexandre confirmed the deal to UOL.com.br on Tuesday.
News of Silva's Nike deal comes just days after a cryptic video (seen below) surfaced online, showing a focused Silva staring down the camera in a red Nike shirt with a white Swoosh logo visible on the upper chest. Silva joins the likes of Yoshihiro Akiyama, Caol Uno and Kazuyuki Miyata as MMA fighters who have been backed by Nike. Ex-UFC heavyweight Kimbo Slice also appeared in a series of Nike viral videos alongside NFL running back LaDainian Tomlinson back in 2008.
Silva can also be linked to Nike in a couple of other business ventures he's taken on recently. On Monday, officials from the Nike-sponsored Brazilian soccer team Sport Club Corinthians Paulista announced a marketing initiative for the fighter. As part of the deal, Silva will wear the club’s jersey during his entrance at UFC 134 and will lend his name to a new MMA facility to be constructed by the team in his hometown of Sao Paulo. Furthermore, all of Silva's recent deals have been brokered by sports marketing firm 9ine, which was founded by Nike Soccer legend Ronaldo.
UFC 134, Silva vs. Okami, will take place in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, August 27th.
