Sherdog.com’s Gleidson Venga spoke with Wanderlei Silva last week about his UFC 99 matchup with Rich Franklin, but some material didn’t make the story. Here it is now: Silva discusses training with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and breaks down the April 18 Shogun-Liddell bout.

Sherdog.com: Your friend Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will face Chuck Liddell next month. What do you expect from this fight?
Silva: It will be a very important fight for Shogun. It will be a watershed for him. Probably for both, because Liddell has the rope around his neck. I have seen some statements by the boss [Dana White] saying that he could fire him. I do not know if he would, but he did say. The [word] around here on Liddell is that he got married, doesn’t hang out at night anymore and goes from home to the gym and from the gym to home. It seems that he is training like a madman. I hope that Shogun is preparing well.

I talked a lot with [Shogun], love him. That’s what I told him: Liddell is not Coleman. He is an aggressive guy, has heavy hands and does not give up. If he hits you on the chin, probably a KO. Shogun has a very aggressive style and has to be in very good shape, with much cardio, because he doesn’t stop. He goes with punches, kicks, knees and takedowns. With him there’s no asking to stop. So he has to give good attention to the cardio because his style requires much cardio. He is a very talented guy, but age comes for everyone, including him. Then with time he will realize that nowadays we … must have a higher preparation. The guys are always getting better here. Shogun is a guy who can win the belt soon. He is in the front of the line. I believe in him. I think he’ll have a great performance against Liddell. I would not be surprised if he knocks him out or submits him. If he gets a takedown, I think it ends in the second round by submission.

Sherdog.com: You and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira were the two biggest stars of the sport in Brazil for a long time, but you were on opposite sides.
Silva: People used to say that he was a very good person and such, but I didn’t know him personally. He is really a great person. He’s simple, humble, a great example for our sport, our stars from Brazil.

He still has a lot to show, contrary to what some people imagine. A single fight won’t erase everything that a man has done. He had some injuries, a knee injury, had the elbow surgery. He was half broken. Now he stopped a little, had knee surgery and will come back with everything. He has everything to win in a future match with Frank Mir. The next fight should be against Randy Couture, and I think it is a good fight for him. He is one of our great stars. I already liked the style of the man; now I’ve turned into his fan too.