Mixed martial arts (MMA) legends Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva were set to take part in a rematch nearly 30 years in the making inside a boxing ring in the main event of Spaten Fight Night 2 event this Sat., Sept. 27, 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil before “The Phenom” was forced out with an injury (details here).
No fret, as Brazilian boxing champion, Acelino “Popo” Freitas (40-2), stepped in to fill the void. “Popo” retired 18 years ago with 34 knockouts under his resume with a streak of 27 straight
knockout wins, which allowed him to collect numerous titles across two divisions.
The two men came face-to-face during a recent pre-fight press conference ahead of their boxing match, and things got a little tense between the striking Brazilians.
Silva officially retired from MMA in 2022, four years removed from his final fight, which was a knockout loss to longtime rival, Rampage Jackson, at Bellator 206 (see it again here). “The Axe Murderer” did say he would return to the combat grounds for a boxing match, and now he has his wish. That said, Freitas is a proven boxer with knockout power even at the age of 50 which could equate to a bad night for Wanderlie in front of his hometown fans.
Time will tell.
