Wanderlei Silva Suffers Broken Nose in Brutal Post-Fight Brawl

Wanderlei Silva, one of the most emblematic figures of the beginnings of mixed martial arts (MMA), was hospitalized on Saturday after being knocked out following an exhibition boxing match in Sao Paulo. Silva, 49, was disqualified in the fourth round for delivering illegal headbutts against Acelino Freitas, 50. Immediately after the fight, members of both fighters’ teams entered the ring, sparking a brawl. During the altercation, Silva received a right hook that sent him to the canvas. The Brazilian media identified Silva’s attacker as Rafael, Freitas’s son. Fabricio Werdum, former UFC champion and Silva’s coach, reported via social media that Silva suffered a broken nose and required stitches on his face. He was discharged after receiving treatment.

Pictures don’t lie. It was very cruel that that guy hit Wanderlei. He punched him in the back of the head. I don’t know if it hit him directly, but it could have been something very serious.

Fabricio Werdum

Acelino Freitas, former boxing champion, blamed Silva’s team for the fight, particularly Werdum, who threw several punches at Freitas and other members of his team before Silva was knocked out.

When the fight ended, the referee disqualified Wanderlei for the three headbutts, his coach went after me and hit me. Wanderlei, the fight was between you and me and had nothing to do with the team. If you gave me a headbutt, great, I don’t care. But unfortunately, Werdum cowardly entered the ring with your son and went against everyone. And I saw that someone also hit you.

Acelino Freitas

Neither the Brazilian National Boxing Council nor the promoter, Spaten Fight Night, announced any immediate sanctions. In a statement, Spaten Fight Night stated that the events did not represent their values of “sportsmanship and respect for the rules”. The boxing match was Silva’s first since retiring from MMA in 2018. He was supposed to face Brazilian MMA legend Vitor Belfort, but Belfort withdrew and was replaced by Freitas with less than a month’s notice. The match was scheduled for eight rounds. Silva weighed 44 pounds more than Freitas for the exhibition.