Wanderlei Silva Suffers Broken Nose in Post-Fight Brawl in Brazil

Wanderlei Silva Hospitalized After Boxing Exhibition in Sao Paulo

The renowned mixed martial arts fighter, Wanderlei Silva, was treated in a hospital on Saturday after being knocked out following a boxing exhibition fight in Sao Paulo. Silva, an emblematic figure in the beginnings of MMA, was disqualified in the fourth round for delivering illegal headbutts to Acelino Freitas, 50 years old. After the fight ended, a brawl broke out between the teams of both fighters. During the altercation, Silva received a right hook that sent him to the canvas. According to Brazilian media, Silva’s attacker 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.

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 it connected well, but it could have been something very serious.

Fabricio Werdum

Acelino Freitas, former boxing champion, held Silva’s team responsible for the fight, particularly Werdum, who threw several punches 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 headbutted me, fine, 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 immediate disciplinary measures. In a statement, Spaten Fight Night declared 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 supposed to face Vitor Belfort, but the latter 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.