Bitter rivals Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort are set to rematch 27 years after their basic UFC struggle, as soon as once more in Sao Paulo, they usually’re gunning for one another’s heads on Sept. 27.
The MMA veterans headline Spaten Battle Night time 2 and confirmed to MMA Preventing that they’ve each added a clause to their contracts guaranteeing a bonus in case of a knockout victory. Globo first reported the bonus.
In line with Belfort, the addition of the clause is to “make it clear that this isn’t an exhibition match,” particularly after the backlash from the primary Spaten Battle Night time occasion in 2024, when Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen delivered a disappointing exhibiting.
“I do know many individuals are speaking about that final match and the best way it went,” Belfort instructed MMA Preventing. “I don’t like to speak about what different folks do, I love to do what I’ve to do, so it’s essential to deal with what we do. I need to make it very clear — I don’t assume we wanted to place that in there as a result of Wanderlei and I, we all know it’s a rivalry, however I believe we each wished to make it clear for the followers and people who watch fights, that is going to be a fantastic expertise. Not all the time folks have the identical expertise, after all, however you’ll all the time have an expertise with Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei. The struggle is for actual and I’m completely satisfied to be a part of this mission.”
Belfort declined to say how a lot cash he’s getting paid in case of a knockout end, however jokingly mentioned “it’s lower than I deserve however greater than I would like.” Silva additionally confirmed he has the identical clause in his contract.
“I don’t even understand how a lot that’s,” Silva instructed MMA Preventing. “However I would like the belt and I would like the bonus as a result of I’m going there to knock him out. Each struggle I’ve ever fought, I’ve all the time went for the knockout, and this may have a particular style.”
Silva met Belfort within the first card of the UFC in Brazil again in 1998, dropping in simply 44 seconds. He has requested for a rematch a number of occasions since then, and at last has one other likelihood in opposition to “The Phenom”.
That alone means “The Axe Assassin” is not going to be taking part in round come Sept. 27, however he desires to make it clear that he gained’t underperform like Silva and Sonnen.
“I do know of my obligations,” Silva mentioned. “I do know we’re right here to point out that Spaten Battle Night time is a superb promotion, a reputable one, and that is for actual. Sadly, the primary version had a match that — I didn’t watch it, however those that did mentioned it wasn’t the best way it was alleged to. I’m a distinct athlete, knowledgeable. I really like rivalries, I actually go there for a knockout. There’s no different manner with me, no such factor like going there to lick one another and bla bla bla. No manner. It’s punch to the face. I am going for the knockout. I am going to actually harm.”
Silva and Belfort will put on 12-ounce gloves and face off in an eight-round match, with two-minute rounds.
“It’s going to be the best win [of my career], little question about it,” Silva mentioned. “This victory is essential for me. That is caught [in my throat] for a very long time. Each [anniversary] he posts the replay of the struggle with some speech, a bunch of nonsense. There’s no different possibility for me [but to fight for real]. You may’t calm me down. I need to present why I’m the Axe Assassin, and I’m going there to knock him out. I’m going there to win.”
