Wanderlei Silva Hospitalized After Boxing Exhibition in Sao Paulo
The legendary mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, Wanderlei Silva, was hospitalized after being knocked out following a boxing exhibition fight in Sao Paulo. Silva, one of the most emblematic figures of the beginnings of MMA, received medical attention on Saturday after the fight. The event was marred by a post-fight altercation. Silva, 49, was disqualified in the fourth round for delivering illegal headbutts to his opponent, Acelino Freitas, 50. Immediately afterwards, a brawl broke out in the ring between the teams of both fighters. During the tumult, Silva received a right hook that sent him to the canvas. According to Brazilian media, the aggressor was Rafael, son of Freitas. Fabricio Werdum, former UFC champion and part of Silva’s team, reported on social media that Silva suffered a broken nose and required stitches on his face. Subsequently, he was discharged.Acelino Freitas, former boxing champion, blamed Silva’s team for the fight, particularly Werdum, who landed several blows on Freitas and other members of his team before Silva was knocked out.“Images don’t lie. It was very malicious that that guy hit Wanderlei. He punched him in the back of the head. I don’t know if the punch was clean, but it could have been something very serious”
Fabricio Werdum
Neither the Brazilian National Boxing Council nor the promoter, Spaten Fight Night, announced immediate disciplinary measures. Spaten Fight Night issued a statement stating that the events did not represent their values of “sportsmanship and respect for the rules”. This boxing match was Silva’s first since his retirement from MMA in 2018. Originally, he was to face another Brazilian MMA legend, Vitor Belfort, but Belfort withdrew and was replaced by Freitas with less than a month’s notice. The fight was scheduled for eight rounds. Silva weighed 44 pounds more than Freitas for the exhibition.“When the fight was over, the referee disqualified Wanderlei for the three headbutts, his coach went for 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
