Acelino Popó replaces Vitor Belfort and faces Wanderlei Silva at Spaten Fight Night

Wanderlei Silva (left) faces Acelino Popó (right) at Spaten Fight Night 2. Photo: Reproduction/SUPER LUTAS Edition

O Spaten Fight Night 2 has a new main fight. Following Vitor Belfort's injury, which would face Wanderlei Silva in a rematch highly anticipated by fans, the organization was quick to find a worthy replacement to face the 'Mad Dog'. This is Acelino Popó Freitas, four-time world boxing champion. The event is scheduled to take place on September 27th in São Paulo.

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The announcement of the fight between Popó x Wand was made on Sunday night (07) during Fantástico, on Rede Globo, and marks another clash of the classic 'Boxing x MMA'. The fight will be under boxing rules and there will be no weight limit

Popó provokes Wanderlei Silva

If the promotion for the fight between Wanderlei Silva e Vitor belfort was marked due to rivalry and a lot of provocationThe fight against Acelino Popó should be no different.

The four-time world champion made a point of kicking off the provocations in front of the former PRIDE champion.

"He's a guy (Wand) I respect a lot outside the ring, but inside the ring, I have no respect for anyone. I've been disrespected a lot in the ring, and it almost ended up working out for my opponent, so why respect anyone in the ring if that ring was prepared for me? That night was made for me (...). If it were in MMA, I wouldn't last at all, that's for sure. But just because it's boxing, the one who won't last is you, how funny (laughs). Wanderlei, I want to thank this whole team here for giving me this opportunity to show that boxing is still one of the best sports to watch, and another thing: aren't you the 'Mad Dog'? After the fight, your name will be 'Dead Dog,'" he added.

Wand x Popo

Wanderlei Silva, 49, has a professional MMA record of 35 wins, 14 losses, one draw, and one no-contest. The Mad Dog hasn't fought since 2018, when he lost his fourth fight to Quinton Rampage JacksonWand's last MMA victory was a knockout over Brian Stann in 2013.

Acelino Popó, also 49 years old, is much more active than Wand. He has a professional boxing record of 41 wins, 34 by knockout, and two losses. His last professional fight was in November 2017, when he defeated Gabriel Martinez. However, 'Hands of Stone' has been fighting in... Fight Music Show against influencers, celebrities or athletes from other sports such as: Whindersson Nunes, José Pele Landy, Jr Dublê, Kleber Bambam and Duda Nagle, the latter in a fight held on October 12th.

Spaten Fight Night 2 fight schedule

Acelino Popó Freitas x Wanderlei Silva (Boxing)

Lightweight (up to 61kg): Beatriz Ferreira x Maira Moneo (Boxing)

Middleweight (up to 74kg): Hebert Conceição x Yamaguchi Falcao (Boxing)

Featherweight (up to 66kg): Thiago Manchinha vs. Wanderson Barcellos (MMA)

Wanderlei Silva (left) faces Acelino Popó (right) at Spaten Fight Night 2. Photo: Reproduction

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