[3] Very much like El Gigante/Giant Gonzales, who also started as a basketball player, the 7 ft 2 in (218 cm) tall da Silva, played as a reserve center on Brazil's national team, wearing the #13 jersey.

Silva struck an occasional team with fellow superheavyweight Brazo de Plata and had part in a feud with Gigante Kurggan, who was brought by Los Capos (the faction led by Apolo Dantes and Universo 2000) in order to oppose him.

In November 2003, Silva turned rudo himself and allied with Pierroth Jr. and his valet La Comandante before leaving Mexico for Japan full time.

[6] He and Singh made their debut as a tag team at Indicate of Next on October 8, 2001, where they defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenzo Suzuki, Yutaka Yoshie, & Wataru Inoue in a 4 on 2 handicap match.

After his career in NJPW, Silva was signed by Dream Stage Entertainment and competed in Pride Fighting Championships, a defunct mixed martial arts organization based in Japan.

Silva led the more experienced fighter to the third round, absorbing repeated leg kicks and taking Herring down once, but Heath capitalized and reversed it into a rear naked choke for the win.

In April 2004, Silva took part in the Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament, whose first round saw him facing sumo wrestler Henry "Sentoryu" Miller, only 85lbs lighter.

The pro wrestler then advanced to the second round, being pitted against former world judo champion Naoya Ogawa, who won the fight by ground and pound TKO.