Wanderlei Silva knocked out

UFC Hall of Famer Wanderlei Silva was brutally knocked out in the boxing ring Saturday in Brazil – but the KO blow came after the bout's conclusion.

In the headlining bout of Spaten Fight Night 2 in Sao Paulo, Silva took on former boxing champion Acelino Freitas in an exhibition match. The bout spiraled out of control as Silva racked up fouls including an intentional-looking head butt.

After the referee called off the bout, both teams charged the ring and punches began to be thrown. As Silva moved toward the pack of pushers, punchers, and shovers, he was cracked in the head by a brutal right hand. The blow sent him clattering to the canvas, laid out like a starfish in center ring as the brawl continued.

Silva, 49, had not competed since 2018 when he was knocked out by Quinton "Rampage" Jackson under the Bellator banner.

At the time of publication, the extent of potential injuries to Silva are not known.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC legend Wanderlei Silva brutally knocked unconscious after boxing match disqualification

Reporting by Nolan King, MMA Junkie / MMA Junkie

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect