Vitor Belfort vetoes rematch against Wanderlei Silva and blasts rival: 'I felt sorry'

Former UFC champion made light of his rival's physical, mental and technical aspects

Rodrigo Tannuri

30/09/2025 | 11:51

Vitor Belfort is an MMA legend. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Vitor belfort is an MMA legend. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Vitor belfort changed his mind. The former UFC champion was scheduled to face Wanderlei Silva at Spaten Fight Night 2, an event that took place last Saturday (27), in São Paulo, but suffered a concussion in training and was unable to compete. Now, the Rio native no longer wants to know about the 'Mad Dog'.

In an interview with Renato Cariani's official YouTube channel, 'The Phenom' denied any interest in the long-awaited rematch with the Curitiba native and, without hesitation, vetoed any possibility of it happening, whether in boxing or MMA. All because Belfort disapproved of Wand's behavior in the ring against Popó, his replacement in the event.

See too

Vitor Belfort attends the Spaten Fight Night press conference. Photo: William Lucas/Inovafoto
Vitor Belfort responds to Popó's challenge and criticizes Wanderlei Silva again at Spaten Fight Night
Werdum poses with the UFC belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/Werdum
Werdum blasts Vitor Belfort for criticizing Wanderlei Silva: 'He has no moral standing'
Werdum celebrates victory. Photo: Reproduction/X/FabricioWerdum
Werdum suggests a settlement between Popó and Wanderlei Silva's coach after a widespread brawl

In the fight, the MMA legend landed illegal strikes on the boxing legend and thus lost by disqualification. Not satisfied, Belfort belittled his rival's physical and mental abilities and also criticized his technical level.

"Now, with this loser, there's no way I'm fighting a guy like that. You don't box like that. It was supposed to be me in that fight. He revealed how he was going to fight me. I could see it. I felt sorry for him to fight. He can't do it. I said, 'Man, what is this guy doing in the ring?' He has no physical ability. There's something wrong with his head," declared the former UFC champion.

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Result of the first fight

The 1998 São Paulo bout between Belfort and Wand became a classic. In the UFC, 'The Phenom' knocked out the former Pride champion in 44 seconds.

Change of posture and new target

It's worth remembering that, before the Popó-Wanderlei fight took place, Belfort had guaranteed that a rematch between him and his greatest rival would take place. However, now, the former UFC champion has declared his interest in facing off against the boxing legend, who challenged him.

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