Longtime MMA rivals Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva will face off in a boxing match at Spaten Fight Night 2 on September 27 in Sao Paulo, marking Silva’s boxing debut and a continuation of their storied rivalry.
Longtime rivals Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva are gearing up for a showdown in a boxing ring. They’ll headline Spaten Fight Night 2, set for Sept. 27 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Exciting stuff, right?
Multiple sources have spilled the beans to MMA Fighting, confirming the news. It’s official, folks!
These two first clashed in MMA back in October 1998. That fight was over in just 44 seconds, with Belfort taking the win in Sao Paulo.
Belfort, known as "The Phenom," claimed victory that night. It was his last UFC fight before heading to PRIDE. He later snagged a UFC belt in 2004. Meanwhile, "The Axe Murderer," Silva, joined PRIDE a year later. He had a legendary run, winning 22 of 28 matches from 2000 to 2006.
They were supposed to rematch in 2012 after coaching on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. But Belfort broke his hand. Ouch! Rich Franklin stepped in and nabbed a Fight of the Night bonus at UFC 147.
Now both UFC Hall of Famers are nearing 50. They’re stepping into a boxing ring, a first for Silva. Belfort has already beaten Evander Holyfield and Ronaldo Souza in boxing bouts. Silva, on the other hand, hasn’t fought since a 2018 knockout loss to Quinton Jackson in Bellator.
Spaten Fight Night kicked off its first event in June 2024, also in Sao Paulo. Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen fought to a draw in a lackluster boxing exhibition. Let’s hope this one’s more thrilling!