Vitor Belfort expresses sadness, blames Wanderlei Silva and congratulates Popó after confusion at Spaten Fight Night 2

Vitor belfort attends the Spaten Fight Night press conference. Photo: William Lucas/Inovafoto

Vitor belfort did not hide his sadness at the way Spaten Fight Night 2, held this Saturday (27), ended. The duel between Wanderlei Silva e Acelino Popo, chosen to replace the phenomenon, ended up in a general fight after the 'Mad Dog' delivered a sequence of illegal blows and was disqualified.

In a video published by journalist Matheus Simoni on 'X', Belfort expressed his disappointment with what happened and stated that Wanderlei Silva tarnished the image of martial arts on the national network.

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Wanderlei Silva is taken to hospital after being brutally knocked out in a fight at Spaten Fight Night

Video: Wanderlei Silva and Popó's teams are involved in a new backstage brawl at Spaten Fight Night 2

Deplorable scenes! Watch the sequence of blows that knocked out Wanderlei Silva in an all-out brawl.

"When we're at our worst, it reveals who we are; and when we're at our best, it reveals our hearts. What makes me sad is that it reveals who they've always been. Wanderlei, I'm sorry, you did something wrong. You literally destroyed something we built over years. Martial arts are about respect. You were fighting an excellent boxer; you shouldn't even have gotten into the ring with him. The guy got in with you at the last minute, and you do something like that," said Belfort.

Despite being disappointed with Wanderlei's attitude, the former UFC champion heaped praise on Acelino Popo, highlighting the boxer's patience during the fight, even in the face of his opponent's illegal strikes. However, in the end, he once again showed his sadness and pointed out that Wanderlei Silva need to apologize.

"Popó, I want to congratulate you on the patience you had during these rounds. But it's sad because people admire this crap. I saw people screaming. Man, this is a sport: the day you have to lose, you lose; and the day you have to win, you win. What makes me sad is that all of Brazil saw this disgrace. Wanderlei, you have to apologize, brother, because what you did is not right," he concluded. Vitor belfort.

Vitor belfort, who was supposed to face Wanderlei and was injured, was also at the event. He spoke very highly of Popó, in fact. He spoke very highly! pic.twitter.com/gxkIkrzzSn

— Matheus Simoni (@teusimoni) September 28, 2025

Wanderlei Silva hospitalized after being knocked out in a fight

Wanderlei Silva had to be hospitalized to treat injuries from the brutal knockout he suffered during the Spaten Fight Night 2 melee. The 'mad dog' was left unconscious after being hit by a punch from one of the members of the team. Acelino Popó Freitas and was rushed immediately afterwards to São Luiz Hospital, in the South Zone of São Paulo.

According to Combate's investigation, the veteran's manager stated that he was rescued only as a precautionary measure and was already well and conscious. At 49 years old, Wanderlei Silva has been knocked out seven times in MMA over the course of more than 50 professional fights.

simply the biggest generalized beating after the Popó x fight Wanderlei Silva

what madnesspic.twitter.com/heV17G0uLN

— Central do Braga (@CentralDoBrega) September 28, 2025