Over a decade after their feud reached boiling point, Chael Sonnen has gone from Wanderlei Silva’s rival to his staunch defender.
The MMA world is still reflecting on the wild events that unfolded at Spaten Fight Night 2 this past Saturday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Headlining was an exhibition match between Silva and former two-time Brazilian boxing champion Acelino Freitas, as the Pride and UFC legend made his combat sports comeback at the age of 49.
‘The Axe Murderer’s’ questionable decision to return seven years after his last fight became even more controversial when he was left out cold on the canvas. After being disqualified for repeatedly head-butting his opponent, Silva was knocked out by Freitas’ son during a wild post-fight brawl.
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Chael Sonnen supports Wanderlei Silva as he sends ominous warning to Acelino Freitas’ son
The man who KO’d Silva has defended his actions, claiming he was simply acting in defense of his family. One prominent figure who evidently does not buy that justification is ‘The Bad Guy’.
11 years after Sonnen’s infamous TUF brawl with Silva further fueled their fiery rivalry — and eight years after their fight in Bellator — the American legend jumped to his former foe’s defense.
In a post on X, Sonnen went as far as to threaten Rafael Freitas, telling the “coward” that he would see him soon.
“To the coward that did THIS to Vanderlei…You f*****d up,” Sonnen wrote on X.
“Only I am allowed to make him look a’fool,” he added. “Have a Care, dummy I’ll see you soon.”
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Wanderlei Silva said his rivalry with Chael Sonnen is ‘done’
Sonnen’s support for Silva is perhaps not as surprising as it first appears given some comments from ‘The Axe Murderer’ in 2024.
During a media scrum on the red carpet at last year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the Brazilian revealed that he no longer holds any animosity toward Sonnen and now ‘likes’ his former bitter foe.
“If I encounter him right now, we have a free fight,” Silva said. “It’s a joke. He’s a good guy. I like him. The rivalry is done.”
Silva was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Pioneer Wing at the ceremony, while Sonnen’s first fight with Anderson Silva at UFC 117 was added to the Fight Wing.