Wanderlei Silva News

Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva

Update on Wanderlei Silva's health following 'horrible' post-fight knockout

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 28, 2025

More information has been revealed after Wanderlei Silva was brutally knocked out following a disqualification loss. Silva took center stage in the main event of Spaten Fight Night 2. When Vitor Belfort pulled out with an injury, Silva’s new opponent was Acelino Freitas. Things took a bad turn when Silva was disqualified for multiple fouls. A melee between both teams ensued and it ended with Silva being knocked out cold. The man who put Silva to sleep has been identified as Freitas’ son, Rafael.

Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva

Chael Sonnen and other fighters react to Wanderlei Silva being knocked out in post-fight brawl

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 28, 2025

The pros have reacted to footage of Wanderlei Silva being slept in the midst of a post-fight brawl. Silva competed in the Spaten Fight Night 2 headliner. “The Axe Murderer” took on Acelino Freitas in a boxing match. Silva was disqualified due to a bevy of fouls. A post-fight brawl ensued, and the MMA legend was rocked during the melee. Silva appeared to recover, but he was then knocked out cold.

Wanderlei Silva, UFC, KO, PRIDE
Wanderlei Silva

Video | Wanderlei Silva brutally KO'd during post-fight brawl at Spaten Fight Night 2

Chris Taylor - September 27, 2025

Former PRIDE champion and MMA legend Wanderlei Silva was knocked out cold during a wild post-fight brawl this evening. Silva had apparently been DQ’d in Round 4 of his fight at Spaten Fight Night 2, this after performing repeated fouls on his opponent Acelino Freitas.

Wanderlei Silva, UFC
Wanderlei Silva

49-year-old UFC legend Wanderlei Silva set for boxing match with decorated ex champ

BJ Penn Staff - September 8, 2025

UFC legend Wanderlei Silva will get a very tough welcome to the boxing ring later this month. Silva, who is best known for his violent run in Japan’s defunct PRIDE organization, was originally to rematch his old MMA rival Vitor Belfort in a boxing match on Sept. 27 in their native Brazil. However, that plan ultimately fell through after Belfort exited the matchup.

Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen
UFC

Wanderlei Silva says previous beef with Chael Sonnen has been squashed: “I like him”

Harry Kettle - July 4, 2024

Former mixed martial artist Wanderlei Silva has revealed that his long-running feud with Chael Sonnen has come to an end. For years, Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen couldn’t stand one another. Sonnen constantly went after Wanderlei in interviews and pushed for a fight against him until eventually, they coached against one another on The Ultimate Fighter in Brazil. In one of the craziest scenes in UFC history, the two rivals actually wound up getting into a physical altercation during filming.

Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva opens up on UFC Hall of Fame announcement: "They were so close to making me cry"

Josh Evanoff - February 19, 2024

The legendary Wanderlei Silva couldn’t be happier to be a future member of the UFC Hall of Fame. ‘The Axe Murderer’ was in attendance at UFC 298 in California over the weekend. During Saturday night’s broadcast, they announced their latest inductee into the Hall of Fame, that being Wanderlei Silva. A video package played in the venue and on pay-per-view, showing the greatest fights of the Brazilian’s historic career.

Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva to be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame

Cole Shelton - February 17, 2024

Wanderlei Silva has been inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. The UFC announced the induction during the broadcast of UFC 298 on Saturday, which took place in Anaheim, California.

Quinton Jackson Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva accepts Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's boxing challenge: "Wanderlei will hang you on the ropes again"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 14, 2024

Wanderlei Silva has responded to a challenge made by his old rival Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. The feud between Silva and Jackson certainly has its place in MMA history. Back in November 2003, “The Axe Murderer” stopped Jackson via TKO. In their second encounter back in late October 2004, Silva brutally knocked “Rampage” out with knee strikes. Both fights were held under the Pride FC banner.

Wanderlei Silva, Mike Tyson
Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva announces November boxing debut against Brazilian bodybuilder Felipe Franco

Josh Evanoff - July 10, 2023

MMA legend Wanderlei Silva will be making his boxing debut against Felipe Franco in November. ‘The Axe Murderer’ has been out of action for nearly five years, last facing Rampage Jackson. That was the fourth fight between the two, taking place at Bellator 206 in September 2018. There, Wanderlei Silva came up short, losing by second-round knockout moving the series to 2-2.

Paulo Costa, UFC
UFC

Paulo Costa dubs ‘The Axe Murderer’ as his favorite fighter of all time

Harry Kettle - October 11, 2022

UFC fighter Paulo Costa has named mixed martial arts legend Wanderlei Silva as his favourite fighter of all time. Over the course of the last few months, Paulo Costa has seemingly gone from one of the biggest villains in the Ultimate Fighting Championship to one of the biggest heroes – and he’s done so by showing off his incredibly unique personality.

Thor Silva and Wanderlei Silva
Wanderlei Silva

Video | Wanderlei Silva's son Thor wins MMA debut via first round TKO

Ryan Harkness - September 26, 2022

Wanderlei Silva’s son Thor Silva made his amateur MMA debut on Sunday at Fight Music Show 2 in Brazil, winning his bout via first round TKO. The 19-year-old showed no hesitation in the cage as he attacked Gabriel Bonfim early, hitting a single-leg takedown and escaping an armbar attempt. He then punished his opponent with relentless ground and pound before securing mount. Bonfim did his best to try and cling to Thor, but couldn’t escape the damage he was taking and gave up his back. The ref stepped in at 2:13 of the first round to wave things off.

Evander Holyfield

Wanderlei Silva interested in moving to boxing, goes off on Vitor Belfort fighting Evander Holyfield: "I don't want to fight an old man"

Josh Evanoff - September 13, 2022

Wanderlei Silva might be retired from MMA, but he’s not retired from boxing. ‘The Axe Murderer’ has been out of action since his knockout loss to Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in September 2018. Following that defeat, Silva departed from Bellator. He promptly signed with BKFC the following year.

Wanderlei Silva, Mike Tyson
UFC

Wanderlei Silva calls out Vitor Belfort for rematch in boxing

Adam Martin - September 30, 2021

MMA legend Wanderlei Silva called out fellow Brazilian mixed martial artist Vitor Belfort for a rematch in the boxing ring. Silva and Belfort have never seen eye-to-eye. The pair first met way back at UFC Brazil in October 1998, with Belfort finishing Silva with a first-round knockout. The two then coached TUF Brazil in 2012 and were supposed to fight in a rematch, but the fight was canceled due to injuries. But even a decade later, these two do still not like each other and they continue to take shots at each other whenever they are able to get the chance to.

Vitor Belfort
UFC

Vitor Belfort sends fiery message to arch rival Wanderlei Silva

Tom Taylor - August 31, 2020

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort has sent a scathing message to the chief rival of his career, Wanderlei Silva. Over the weekend, Silva shared a poster for a fictional fight card involving himself and Belfort, as well as other legends like Fedor Emelianenko, Tito Ortiz, and Rashad Evans. Belfort, who defeated Silva by first-round knockout way back in 1998 and has been open to a rematch ever since, was not impressed by his rival’s post.

Wanderlei Silva, Mike Tyson
Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva teases massive MMA card at the Tyson Ranch featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tito Ortiz, and more

Adam Martin - August 30, 2020

Wanderlei Silva is teasing a massive MMA card that will take place at the Tyson Ranch featuring Fedor Emelianenko and Tito Ortiz, plus more. Silva posted a photo on his social media of a poster for an event called “Fight Club After Dark.” The poster says the event will take place on November 21 at the Tyson Ranch in Desert Hot Springs, California, with the tagline, “Experience live MMA like never before under the stars on the Tyson Ranch.”

Mike Tyson, Wanderlei Silva
Mike Tyson

Report: Mike Tyson rejects $18M offer to fight Wanderlei Silva

Tom Taylor - June 10, 2020

Heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson has reportedly turned down an $18M offer from American bare-knuckle fighting promotion BKFC. The offer reportedly named MMA legend Wanderlei Silva, who recently signed with BKFC but has yet to debut with the promotion, as the opponent for Tyson’s return.

Wanderlei Silva
UFC

Photo | Wanderlei Silva shows off injuries from bike accident

Tom Taylor - June 5, 2020

Former Pride middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva was recently hit by his car while riding his bike, breaking his foot and sustaining some pretty nasty looking wounds. It was the Brazilian MMA legend’s second such accident in a four-year span. He says wearing a helmet save his life on both occasions.

Wanderlei Silva, Mike Tyson
Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva hit by car while riding bike in Brazil, breaks foot

Adam Martin - June 4, 2020

MMA legend Wanderlei Silva was involved in an accident on Wednesday afternoon in Curitiba, Brazil, when he was hit by a car while riding a bicycle. Silva says that he broke his foot and suffered cuts to his face.

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