Overview

• Silva was disqualified in the fourth round for repeated headbutts during his exhibition bout with Acelino “Popó” Freitas in São Paulo.
• A ringside melee erupted when both corners stormed the ring, resulting in Silva being knocked unconscious.
• Multiple outlets identified the assailant as Rafael Freitas, and Fabricio Werdum said Silva suffered a fractured nose and required stitches before being released from the hospital.
• Freitas apologized publicly and blamed members of Silva’s corner for escalating the fracas, while Werdum disputed that account and condemned the punch that felled Silva.
• The episode intensified scrutiny of event safety given Silva’s prior disclosure of traumatic brain injury symptoms, a reported 44‑pound weight gap, and questions over ringside security.