Werdum reports on Wanderlei Silva's condition after the altercation with Popó: 'He asked me more than 10 times what happened'

Fabricio Werdum (right) and Wanderlei Silva (left) are references in world MMA. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Fabricio Werdum revealed worrying details about the health status of Wanderlei Silva right after the widespread confusion which marked the end of Spaten Fight Night 2, held in São Paulo last Saturday (27). According to the former UFC champion, his friend and teammate was disoriented, with memory loss and moaning in pain, after being hit by a punch in the face during the fight with members of Popó's team.

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Wanderlei was knocked out by Popó's son, Rafael Freitas, during the commotion that ensued after his disqualification in the main fight of the event, and had to be taken to the hospital with cuts on his face, a broken nose and an injury to his left eye, where he received stitches.

"Wanderlei is a strong guy, he can take a beating, but it definitely affected his mental state. I explained the situation to him more than ten times. I'd say, 'This, this, this happened'... and five seconds later he'd ask, 'Werdum, what happened?' It was repeated more than ten times. Of course it affected his mental state," Werdum said in an Instagram Live.

Disorientation and pain: Wanderlei's post-fight

According to Werdum, the former Pride and UFC fighter also moaned in pain while receiving medical attention, especially during the stitches in his eye. The scene, he said, was emotionally difficult to witness.

"He was moaning in pain as he received stitches. It was a clean-handed punch, landed hard, with his guard down. He just wanted to break up the fight, and he ended up taking the blow. It was very sad to see him like that," Werdum recounted.

The fight between Popó and Wanderlei ended in controversy. The former MMA fighter was disqualified in the fourth round after receiving three warnings for headbutting in the clinches. With that, Popó was declared the winner. From that point on, the situation spiraled out of control.

Widespread fighting and mutual accusations

After the disqualification was announced, members of both fighters' teams invaded the ring. The altercation quickly escalated, resulting in physical assaults and exchanges of accusations between those involved. Wanderlei was one of the most affected, being hit by at least one punch to the face, leaving him unconscious for several seconds.

Werdum, who was in Wanderlei's corner, was singled out by Popó as one of those responsible for starting the brawl. The former boxer alleged that Werdum had invaded the ring with Wanderlei's son, calling the act "cowardly."

Recovery and concern about possible consequences

Wanderlei Silva He continues to recover from his injuries. There is still no official information about neurological sequelae. He received seven stitches in his face and suffered a broken nose.