‘My origins are so poor’… From the favelas to ‘risking it all’ ― Leandro ‘Apollo’ Silva tells his story

EXCLUSIVE: Leandro ‘Apollo’ Silva has survived the toughest of times, growing up in the favelas in Brazil, to become one of the most fearsome welterweights on the planet.

On Saturday night, the gifted operator returned to winning ways with a dominant victory over Mate Kertesz at Oktagon 63 at the Tipos Arena in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Leandro ‘Apollo’ Silva went from the favelas to MMA superstardom

Growing up, Leandro ‘Apollo’ Silva had to deal with poverty as he witnessed the violence that occurs in the roughest parts of his homeland. However, rather than letting his surroundings send him down the wrong path, the warrior used it as motivation, to give everything in his power to becoming the best mixed martial artist he can be.

In an exclusive interview with Sporf, he explained: “My memories in Brazil are great, but my origin is so poor. I am from the favelas. I think I’m a great example that people can do anything. The impossible is a lie. I am here to follow my dreams and my goals, to fight for myself, and show everyone can do it. I’m from the favelas, and I’ve overcome hard times. I’ve been to 45 countries in the world. I think it’s amazing history.”

Leandro ‘Apollo’ Silva is a talented guitar player

Through the sport he holds so close to his heart, Silva has trained at American Top Team in Florida, and fought across Europe. And he’s used the money he’s made to fund camel-riding trips to see the Pyramids in Egypt and ATV excursions through the dunes of Peru. To make things even better, the athlete uses his adventures as part of music-making process.

He enthused: “I love to know new countries, people and culture. I learn so much. It’s an investment in myself and my self-knowledge. I’m a singer too, I’m a songwriter, and on all my trips I get so inspired to write new songs. I know guitar, piano, ukulele. I love new knowledge.” 

In total, Silva has won an impressive 29 fights, but of all his achievements, nothing means more to him than his unanimous decision victory over the weekend.

The 39-year-old revealed: “This story [is my greatest]. I accepted the fight on two weeks’ notice. I injured my shoulder one week ago, but I continued to push myself. I’m here; I won because I risked everything. If I lost I would’ve had nothing, but I risk everything because I believe in myself. This history is totally crazy.”

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Featured Image Credit: Oktagon MMA