Wanderlei Silva was scheduled to rematch Vitor Belfort beneath boxing guidelines on Sept. 27. As an alternative, he’s now going through former boxing world champion Acelino “Popo” Freitas in the primary occasion of Spaten Struggle Evening 2 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
MMA Preventing confirmed the change following a report from Spaten broadcast companion TV Globo. The promotion has but to announce if they may meet in an official boxing match, or exhibition.
Freitas is without doubt one of the all-time greatest boxers in Brazil with 41 wins in 43 skilled bouts, together with 34 knockouts. A former WBO and WBA tremendous featherweight champion and two-time WBO light-weight champion, “Popo” hung up his gloves in 2007 however ultimately returned to select up extra professional wins in 2012, 2015, and 2017.
“Popo” has been extra lively within the ring in recent times towards Brazilian influencers and celebrities beneath the Struggle Music Present banner in his house nation. Apart from a controversial resolution win over Argentine boxer Jorge Daniel Miranda in October 2024, Freitas dominated each single certainly one of his opponents with ease.
Silva makes his boxing debut after a Corridor of Fame run in combined martial arts, reigning in PRIDE FC in Japan for practically a decade earlier than returning to the UFC for a 4-5 octagon run late in his profession, together with a win over future champion Michael Bisping.
“The Axe Assassin” hasn’t fought since 2018, when he misplaced his fourth conflict with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson for a rating of 2-2. Silva’s final MMA win was a 2013 knockout over Brian Stann.
Spaten Struggle Evening plans to re-book Silva vs. Belfort for 2026, pending “The Phenom’s” medical clearance. The previous UFC champion revealed on social media that he has suffered two concussions in coaching, the second being a grade 3 concussion.
Verify the up to date struggle card under.
