Wanderlei Silva supplied an replace on his situation after being brutally knocked out throughout a wild post-fight brawl.
The UFC legend made his boxing debut on Saturday at Spaten Struggle Evening 2 in São Paulo. What was scheduled to be a easy exhibition bout in opposition to former WBA and WBO world champion Acelino ‘Popo’ Freitas descended into utter chaos moments after Silva was disqualified for an intentional headbutt.
Throughout the scuffle, each groups rushed into the ring and commenced throwing punches, considered one of which linked cleanly on Silva’s chin, sending him crashing to the canvas.
“Everybody noticed the footage. Popo’s workforce invaded the ring after the consequence. They got here at us, gave us the finger, and cursed us, as that they had been doing all week,” Silva mentioned in a video in Instagram simply hours after the battle. “I by no means attacked anybody; I used to be there separating them, and abruptly, I used to be punched behind the top, then punched within the eye once more, and I used to be cowardly attacked. As you possibly can see, my eye remains to be bleeding, and I’ve a horrible headache. I believed it was a really unhappy act.”
Because it seems, it was Freitas’ son, Rafael, who KO’d Silva through the fracas.
“That’s it, people. I simply arrived in Curitiba. Look how my eye [is]. I’m very nicely accompanied with my physician [my wife],” Silva mentioned. “Actually, I used to be nicely taken care of by the occasion. They took me to the hospital yesterday and I had some assessments executed. However since I’ve a extremely unhealthy headache, I’ll do extra assessments right here in Curitiba to have the ability to work out what occurred to me and if I had any extra critical head accidents.
“I may also see an ophthalmologist as a result of I’m not capable of open my eye and this was the harm triggered yesterday. This week I’ll do the exams and convey extra information. Thanks for rooting for me and for the entire messages.”
Rafael Freitas points an apology to Wanderlei Silva
Rafael Freitas later apologized for his function within the brawl, stating that he was in a state of “self-defense” and was merely attempting to guard his household.
“Once I realized it, that widespread confusion started, began by the Wanderlei workforce, his son, coach Andre Dida, and Werdum. Once I noticed all of them assaulting my father and my brothers, I went into self-defense. Within the warmth of that second, I simply considered defending myself and defending my household,” Rafael mentioned. “I need to apologize to Wanderlei and his entire household for all the things he’s executed for his sport as nicely. And to say it wasn’t my intention”
