Wanderlei Silva was scheduled to rematch Vitor Belfort under boxing rules on Sept. 27. Instead, he’s now facing former boxing world champion Acelino “Popo” Freitas in the main event of Spaten Fight Night 2 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
MMA Fighting confirmed the change following a report from Spaten broadcast partner TV Globo. The promotion has yet to announce if they will meet in an official boxing match, or exhibition.
Freitas is one of the all-time best boxers in Brazil with 41 wins in 43 professional bouts, including 34 knockouts. A former WBO and WBA super featherweight champion and two-time WBO lightweight champion, “Popo” hung up his gloves in 2007 but eventually returned to pick up more pro wins in 2012, 2015, and 2017.
“Popo” has been more active in the ring in recent years against Brazilian influencers and celebrities under the Fight Music Show banner in his home country. Aside from a controversial decision win over Argentine boxer Jorge Daniel Miranda in October 2024, Freitas dominated every single one of his opponents with ease.
Silva makes his boxing debut after a Hall of Fame run in mixed martial arts, reigning in PRIDE FC in Japan for nearly a decade before returning to the UFC for a 4-5 octagon run late in his career, including a win over future champion Michael Bisping.
“The Axe Murderer” hasn’t fought since 2018, when he lost his fourth clash with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson for a score of 2-2. Silva’s last MMA win was a 2013 knockout over Brian Stann.
Spaten Fight Night plans to re-book Silva vs. Belfort for 2026, pending “The Phenom’s” medical clearance. The former UFC champion revealed on social media that he has suffered two concussions in training, the second one being a grade 3 concussion.
Check the updated fight card below.
