Fabricio Werdum and Popó were in a general fight at Spaten Fight Night (Photo: Montage/SUPER LUTAS)
Member of the team Wanderlei Silva, Fabricio Werdum released, this Sunday (28), an alleged exchange of audios with Acelino “Popó” Freitas, before the fight that ended in widespread confusion in Spaten Fight Night 2, in São Paulo. According to the former UFC champion, the message was sent on Friday (26), the day before the fight.
In the first audio, Werdum made an appeal for respect between the teams and asked that the provocations be restricted to the two fighters.
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"Hey Popó, how are you? (...) You won't see anyone on our team cursing you, because everyone respects you. So, I ask you to talk to your people about not cursing Wanderlei. You know that one more curse could ruin the event. (...) You guys cursing at each other is one thing, but otherwise, I think family and team have to be on good terms," said the Gaucho.
Popó then responded by saying that the disrespect came from Wanderlei and defended his team's own attitude, but raised his tone by stating that "he's going to get everyone."
"Hey, Werdum! Brother, there was no disrespect. On the contrary, the disrespect came from Wanderlei Silva, who called me a wimp. (…) But relax, brother. You're going to get everyone. When you get one in the corner, you get everyone. When you get one in the ring, you get everyone. I'm sure that when he loses, you'll lose too. Don't worry. (…) Go to sleep and dream about losing tomorrow,” Popó replied.
Then, Fabricio Werdum responded in a conciliatory tone, ending the conversation before the fight.
"You're absolutely right, Popó. When one loses, everyone loses. When we win, everyone wins. Family is family, and you know that. (...) I wish you good luck. Wanderlei is doing great too, and I know you are too. It's going to be a great fight, and I'm sure it will go down in history," he concluded.
The exchange of messages gained repercussion a day after the fight that marked the end of the event. Popó was declared the winner by disqualification of Wanderlei Silva, and the two fighters' teams engaged in a widespread brawl in the ring, including an attack by Rafael Freitas, the boxer's son, who knocked out Wanderlei. The 'Mad Dog' was unconscious and required treatment at São Luiz Hospital, but was released after four hours of observation.
CHECK OUT THE ALLEGED COMPLETE AUDIO EXCHANGE BETWEEN FABRICIO WERDUM AND POPO:
WERDUM: "Hey Popó, how are you? I'm sending you this message because you know I respect you a lot, a lot. You know that, I really like you. I'll be brief. You won't see anyone on our team cursing you, because everyone respects you. So, I ask you to talk to your people about not cursing Wanderlei. You cursing is one thing, you arguing, but let's keep things cool between the teams. You know that one more curse could ruin the event. You know that on both sides, we're all gangsters, in a good way, obviously. I just wish that the respect you know we have for you, you had for us too, okay? You cursing each other is one thing, but otherwise, I think family and team have to be on good terms."
POPÓ: “Hey, Werdum! Brother, there was no disrespect. On the contrary, the disrespect came from Wanderlei Silva, who called me a wimp. That's disrespectful. The only thing my son called me on the other side was a dead dog. His son would defend him, just like mine defends me. My team is all respectful. But relax, brother. You're going to get hit. When you get hit in the corner, you get hit. When you get hit in the ring, you get hit. I'm sure that when he loses, you'll lose too. Stay cool. Stay in your lane, my brother. Go to sleep and dream about defeat tomorrow.
WERDUM: "You're absolutely right, Popó. When one loses, everyone loses. When we win, everyone wins. Family is family, and you know that. We carry it close to our hearts. I wish you good luck. Wanderlei is doing great too, and I know you are too. It's going to be a great fight, and I'm sure you'll go down in history. It's done, thanks!"
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