Wanderlei Silva’s Return to Boxing Ends in Chaos

Wanderlei Silva’s highly anticipated comeback to the boxing ring took a dramatic turn when he was disqualified, but that was just the beginning of the night’s events.

Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, Silva participated in an exhibition match against former two-division world champion Aselino Freitas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday night. The evening escalated into chaos post-fight, culminating in a brawl.

After sustaining a fractured nose during the melee, Silva received facial stitches at a local hospital, as revealed by his cornerman and former UFC heavyweight champion Fabrício Werdum on social media.

The brawl marked Silva’s boxing debut and first bout since his last fight with Rampage Jackson at Bellator 206 in 2018. Unfortunately, he couldn’t shake off the rust against Freitas in this exhibition match.

At 49 years old, Silva found himself disqualified in the fourth round after ignoring the referee’s commands and repeatedly clashing heads with Freitas.

Tempers flared, and soon both teams were throwing punches, leading to a chaotic scene. A member of Freitas’ team landed a heavy blow to the back of Silva’s head, while another swift right hook sent Silva to the mat.

Reports suggest that Silva’s assailant was identified as Freitas’ son, Rafael Freitas. During the skirmishes, two of Silva’s team members rushed to assist him as the brawl continued around them.

Eventually, Silva regained consciousness and was able to leave the ring without requiring a stretcher. Following treatment, he was released from the hospital.

Renowned as “The Axe Murderer,” Silva was a prominent figure in Pride FC and had multiple stints in the UFC. His career achievements led to his induction into the Hall of Fame’s Pioneer Wing in 2024. He retired from Bellator FC with an impressive record of 35 wins, 14 losses, and 1 no contest, including 27 knockouts.