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Wanderlei Silva hit with long ban after DQ defeat and viral brawl led to shocking KO

Originally posted on HITC | By Jordan Ellis | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 10:11 AM ET

Wanderlei Silva has received a lengthy suspension following a disastrous return to the ring.

‘The Axe Murderer’ had been out of action since September 2018, when he was knocked out by Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson at Bellator 206.

Silva made his return in a boxing exhibition against former two-time world champion Acelino Freitas at Spaten Fight Night 2 in São Paulo, Brazil.

The UFC Hall of Famer was disqualified from the bout after repeatedly throwing illegal shots, including headbutts, before chaos erupted during a post-fight brawl.

Wanderlei Silva’s boxing ban

During the chaos that erupted after the fight, Silva was knocked out by his opponent’s son, Rafael Freitas. Silva called it a “cowardly attack,” but the incident has still led to a ban from boxing.

MMA Fighting reports that both fighters, along with their teams, have been suspended by the Brazilian National Boxing Council.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Both Silva and Freitas were handed 180-day bans from events overseen by Brazil’s National Boxing Council (CNB). Rafael Freitas wasn’t an official cornerman for his father, so he can’t be sanctioned in the same way.

Wanderlei Silva gets unexpected support

Chael Sonnen has issued a warning to the man who knocked out Wanderlei Silva, catching many MMA fans off guard.

The two fighters have had a long-running feud ever since their altercation on The Ultimate Fighter over a decade ago.

Sonnen posted on X: “To the coward that did THIS to Wanderlei…You f—ed up. Only I am allowed to make him look a fool. Have a Care, dummy. I’ll see you soon.”

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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