Former UFC middleweight rivals Vitor Belfort (26-14, 1 NC) and Wanderlei Silva (35-14-1, 1 NC) were expected to rematch inside a boxing ring atop the upcoming Spaten Fight Night 2 event tomorrow night (Sat., Sept. 27, 2025) in Sao Paulo, Brazil, but Belfort suffered a “very serious injury” and was forced to withdraw.
So what happened?
Belfort was reportedly concussed while training for his “Axe Murderer” rematch, with Spaten docs noting “significant symptoms” and “abnormalities in his imaging studies.” Sounds reasonable; however, Silva’s longtime coach, Andre Dida, suggests the real cause of Belfort’s withdrawal is a chronic case of chickenitis.
This is not the first time Belfort bailed on Silva.
“In my opinion, Vitor had to present a medical report, more exams. Not just [say], ‘the doctor said this and that.’ It’s too behind the curtain,” Dida explained to MMA Fighting. ”And show it to the fans. ‘Look, here’s the injury.’ Post it on Instagram. Make people feel your pain.“
“Vitor hasn’t made anyone feel his pain so it’s all too dubious,” Dida continued. “I think Vitor should come out and clarify things for his fans because I don’t believe what was posted. I think he really chickened out, he quit. And it’s not a good look for him. I think Vitor didn’t want it as bad as Wanderlei.”
“Phenom” out, “Popo” in.
Taking over for Belfort is former WBO super featherweight champion Acelino Freitas, who also held gold in the WBO lightweight division. “Popo” retired with a 41-2 record with 34 knockouts, presenting a dangerous test for “The Axe Murderer,” especially when you consider that Silva has been plagued with CTE symptoms after more than 20 years in the hurt business.
I remember wwwwaaaayyyyy back in the day on the KirikGround one of the stalwarts of the boxing forum (can’t remember which, think it was buddie) said they had been to the gym to see Freitas train and his power was SCARY.
Holy fuck popo is juiced.
That looks like Pedro Rizzo. I lived in Brazil for 3 months many years ago and trained at Nova Uniao. They had a regular weights gym in the same complex as the MMA gym. The first day I was there, I went to the regular weights gym. After I came of the shower I sat down to pack my stuff into my bag. Some guy came and sat down next to me. I got up to leave, looked over and it was Rizzo. He’s MASSIVE.
Marco and Pedro Dojo was 2 Miles from my house Laguna Niguel , Apple trained there too
Souped Up
MMA Fighting has Spaten Fight Night 2 results for the Silva vs. Freitas fight card and more at ARCA Spaces in Sau Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday night.
In the main event, UFC veteran Wanderlei Silva squares off against Acelino Freitas in a boxing exhibition. Silva , who is 49 years old, hasn’t competed since Rampage Jackson knocked him out at Bellator 260 in the second round on Sept. 29, 2018.
Freitas, who his 3-0-1 in boxing exhibitions, is a former boxing champion. The 50-year-old Freitas had a 41-2 record in boxing and competed last year when he knocked out Kleber de Paula Pedra in the first round.
Former UFC veteran Thiago Silva, who was cut twice by the organization over legal issues, will also compete as he kicks off the main card with a MMA match against Wanderson Barcellos.
Sooooooo
Did wandy wake up yet?
From Reddit: -
Today (September, 28), a boxing match took place in São Paulo, Brazil, between former boxing world champion Acelino “Popó” Freitas and ex-UFC fighter Wanderlei Silva.
Popó outboxed Wanderlei in the early rounds, prompting a desperate response from Silva, who began headbutting Popó multiple times.
After the third headbutt, Wanderlei was disqualified, and chaos erupted in the ring as several people began throwing punches.
In the end, Wanderlei was knocked out by, what it seems, a member of the security staff.
0:50 - elbow, knee, headbutt.
WTF Wandy?