Wanderlei Silva downplays Vitor Belfort's withdrawal from the fight and praises Popó: 'An even better opponent'

Wanderlei Silva is an MMA legend. Photo: Reproduction/UFC

Even though he is an MMA legend and combat sports veteran, Wanderlei Silva will make his boxing debut. This Saturday (27), in São Paulo, the Curitiba native will face Acelino Popo, an icon of the noble art, in the main fight of Spaten Fight Night 2. As expected, Cachorro Louco was very excited about the commitment and did not forget his rival. Vitor belfort.

At the press conference organized by Spaten, which was attended by SUPER FIGHTSWand approved the opponent change and, despite the provocations, praised Popó. The former Pride FC champion was originally scheduled to face Belfort, but Belfort suffered a concussion during training and ended up withdrawing. With the Bahian fighter in front of him, the Mad Dog acknowledged that his mission in the ring was now more complicated.

See too

Vitor Belfort reveals he's rooting for Wanderlei Silva against Popó: 'It's the first time I'm rooting for him'

Popó questions Wand's technique and promises a knockout: 'The first hand that lands, it's over'

Popó opens the door to a boxing match against Vitor Belfort and provokes: 'If he doesn't give up again'

"When you fight, you don't have to pick your opponents. I knew how difficult the event was and wasn't going to miss out for anything. One of the requests I made to the Spaten team was for someone with a name who could replace my other opponent. They came up with an even better opponent, a very good one, one of the best boxers in Brazilian history. I've always enjoyed fighting the best, always wanted to test myself against the best. I think it will be a great opportunity to make a big debut in boxing," declared the MMA legend.

Spaten Fight Night 2 fight schedule

Acelino Popó Freitas x Wanderlei Silva (Boxing)

Lightweight (up to 61kg): Beatriz Ferreira x Maira Moneo (Boxing)

Middleweight (up to 74kg): Hebert Conceição x Yamaguchi Falcao (Boxing)

Featherweight (up to 66kg): Thiago Manchinha vs. Wanderson Barcellos (MMA)

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