UFC Legend Handed Lengthy Ban After Disgraceful Incident in Fight

A former MMA champion has been handed a lengthy suspension by the Brazilian National Boxing Council after his much-anticipated comeback fight was marred by shocking scenes.

Wanderlei Silva, who is best known for his time in Pride Fighting Championships and the UFC, came up against former two-weight boxing champion Acelino Freitas in an exhibition bout on Saturday night.

The boxing match was Silva's first since he retired from MMA in 2018. He was scheduled to fight Vitor Belfort, who pulled out with one month's notice, but many were eager to see the Brazilian in action.

However, things turned ugly at the Spaten Fight Night 2 event in Sao Paulo, when Silva was disqualified in the fourth round for throwing illegal headbutts.

And moments later, the contest descended into further chaos as members of both teams rushed the ring to brawl, with two people from Silva’s camp attempting to haul the former UFC fighter back towards the corner.

Silva was then caught by Rafael Freitas, the son of Acelino Freitas, with a blow that left him motionless on the floor.

It was later confirmed that Silva had suffered a fractured nose from the knockout punch and received facial stitches. Silva's cornerman and former UFC champion Fabricio Werdum confirmed the news.

"The images don't lie," he said on social media. "It was so evil for that guy to punch Wanderlei. He punched the back of the head of Wanderlei. I don't know if it landed clean, but it could have been something very serious."

Silva's opponent Acelino Freitas, meanwhile, blamed Silva's corner for the brawl. "When the fight ended, the referee disqualified Wanderlei for the three headbutts, his coach went after me and punched me," he said on social media.

"Wanderlei, the fight was between you and me and had nothing to do with the team. If you headbutted me, cool, I don't care. But unfortunately, Werdum cowardly entered the ring with your son and went all over everybody. And I saw that someone also punched you."

Wanderlei Silva handed lengthy suspension by Brazilian National Boxing Council

It has now been confirmed that Silva and Freitas have been given 180-day suspensions and are banned from any events sanctioned by the CNB (Conselho Nacional De Boxe/National Boxing Council).

Members of Acelino’s team have also been hit with 180-day bans, according to MMA Fighting, while Andre Dida, Silva’s longtime coach, has been handed a 365-day suspension after he landed at least two clean punches during the brawl.