Wanderlei Silva: I feel awful; can’t sleep after that knockout

Legendary Wanderlei Silva has suffered different late-career trauma, and the question remains whether helium volition ever measurement into a warring ringing again. The erstwhile Pride and UFC icon returned to Sao Paulo for an accumulation lucifer aft a seven-year hiatus, and what was expected to beryllium an evening of nostalgia turned into utter chaos.

The seasoned fighter, known arsenic “The Axe Murderer,” took connected two-time satellite champion Acelin “Popó” Freitas. But the combat didn’t spell arsenic planned. Silva was disqualified successful the 4th circular for aggregate headbutts, and a monolithic brawl broke retired successful the ringing soon aft the stoppage. In the chaos, the 49-year-old UFC Hall of Famer was knocked retired by a brutal punch, falling to the level and unconscious, shocking each martial arts fans.

Recovery and aftermath

A time later, Silva addressed his fans via Instagram and revealed however hard the incidental was for him.

– Yes, my concern is not precisely good. Look astatine my eye. It's 3:30 successful the greeting and I can't slumber due to the fact that my caput is pounding excessively much. I'll person to spell to the infirmary for much tests soon. I'm precise unwell, helium said.

It was initially unclear who delivered the punch that knocked Silva down. New footage and photos confirmed that Rafael Freitas, lad of Acelino, who has boxing acquisition himself, was the culprit. His member Juan further clarified the concern successful a now-deleted post: "When you speech astir my brother, talk quietly. Congratulations, Rafa!"

Acelino Freitas publically apologized for the chaos successful the ring, but did not straight remark that his lad was the writer of the punch that knocked Silva down and became the viral infinitesimal of the evening.

The erstwhile Pride and UFC idol frankincense suffered different hard acquisition astatine the extremity of his career. The question remains - volition helium ever instrumentality and basal betwixt the red-hot ropes of the ringing again, oregon volition this beryllium the extremity of a fable of the warring world.