Vitor Belfort urges Wanderlei Silva to ‘stop posting fake news posters’ and start negotiating

Vitor Belfort seems to be open to a rematch with Wanderlei Silva in 2020. | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Wanderlei Silva went on social media Sunday night to tease a potential MMA event featuring his long-awaited rematch with Vitor Belfort, as well as rematches featuring Fabricio Werdum, Fedor Emelianenko, Tito Ortiz, and Rashad Evans.
Belfort seems to want in, but not on those terms.
The poster on Silva’s Instagram post, which was deleted hours later, advertised a show called “Fight Club After Dark” at Mike Tyson’s ranch in Desert Hot Springs, Calif., on Nov. 21. Silva’s longtime coach Rafael Cordeiro even had Belfort on camera saying the rematch was “about to happen.”
Hours later, however, Belfort made a post on his social media with a message to his longtime rival. “The Phenom,” who signed a deal with ONE Championship after parting ways with the UFC, wrote that “my promoter (Chatri Sityodtong) and my manager Loyd are waiting for you and your manager.”
“I’ll give you an advice, stop posting and start negotiating,” Belfort wrote. “Your request has been accepted. Stop posting fake news posters and let’s get it done.”
In a minute-long video posted on Sunday, Belfort urges Silva and his team to get in touch with Sityodtong to negotiate a deal.
“My team, my manager have already called (Silva), and Chatri from ONE Championship said that this fight will happen,” Belfort said in Portuguese. “It’s only up to (Silva) now. He has to start negotiating with (ONE). He has to start moving for this fight to happen. There’s no other way.
“He wants this fight, so let me give you some advice Wanderlei, get in touch with (ONE) and dedicate, brother. I’m waiting for you. Stop posting fake news and little posters and let’s fight. I’ve already accepted, you have to start moving now.”
Belfort and Silva first fought at UFC Brazil in 1998 with “The Phenom” winning by knockout in just 44 seconds. “The Axe Murderer” went on to win the PRIDE belt years later while Belfort built a career in the UFC and other promotions. They were set to rematch after coaching the first season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil in 2012, but Belfort withdrew with a hand injury.


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