Wanderlei Silva Hospitalized After Post-Fight Brawl at Spaten Fight Night 2

The return of Wanderlei Silva to the ring ended in chaos Saturday night in Brazil. What began as a disqualification loss in an exhibition boxing match against Acelino “Popo” Freitas at Spaten Fight Night 2 spiraled into a violent post-fight brawl, leaving the 49-year-old MMA legend hospitalized.

Disqualification and Chaos

Silva’s exhibition bout was stopped in the fourth round when he was disqualified for repeated head-butts against Freitas. Moments later, tempers flared as both fighters’ teams stormed the ring. The melee escalated quickly, with Silva’s longtime cornerman and former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum among those involved.

The ugliest moment came when Silva was struck by a vicious punch from Rafael Freitas, the son of “Popo.” The blow reportedly broke Silva’s nose and dropped him unconscious in the ring, according to Globo.

“It was so evil for that guy to punch Wanderlei,” Werdum said on social media. “He punched the back of Wanderlei’s head. Wanderlei had his gloves on, tired from the fight. It could have been very serious.”