Video – Former WBO, WBA champ Popo Freitas knocks out Pele Landi-Jons in boxing match

A battle between two Brazilian combat sports veteran took place at Brazil’s Fight Music Show 2, last Sunday. On a night of fights featuring…

By: Lucas Rezende | 1 year ago
Video – Former WBO, WBA champ Popo Freitas knocks out Pele Landi-Jons in boxing match
Bloody Elbow 2.0 | Anton Tabuena

A battle between two Brazilian combat sports veteran took place at Brazil’s Fight Music Show 2, last Sunday. On a night of fights featuring a YouTuber, a singer, and former Bellator/UFC/Strikeforce/Invicta champion Cris Cyborg, the main event was no less a circus bout.

Former WBO/WMA super featherweight and WBO lightweight boxing champ Acelino ‘Popo’ Freitas took on MMA veteran Jose ‘Pele’ Landi-Jons, in an exhibition boxing match that didn’t make it out of the first round.

Originally scheduled for eight rounds, the headliner ended just 85 seconds into the opening frame, when 47-year-old Popo knocked down the 49-year-old Landi-Jons and then followed it up with a flurry after a quick stand-up and a standing count. Pele went down for good on the followup.

Since it was an exhibition match, the results will not be added to the athletes’ official record, making Popo’s (41-2) latest win still a unanimous decision victory over Gabriel Martinez, in November 2017. Meanwhile, Pele’s (29-16) last MMA fight ended in a knockout loss to Zak Bucia, back in July 2015.

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About the author
Lucas Rezende
Lucas Rezende

Lucas Rezende is a Brazilian journalist and writer from Belem, Para. He has been covering MMA since 2012 and contributing with Bloody Elbow since March 2015. When not writing, Lucas also teaches English. In his free time, he enjoys reading, slapping the bass guitar and traveling.

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