Wand (photo) ended his career with 49 professional fights. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube
The name of Wanderlei Silva has been present in the world MMA news in recent weeks amid the various controversies in which the Brazilian has been involved. Days before being permanently banned by the Nevada Athletic Commission for evading a surprise drug test in May, the former PRIDE champion began a crusade against the commissions and the UFC, whom he accuses of exploiting fighters and not providing them with the remuneration they deserve. .
REMEMBER THE CASE:
In a long outburst, Wanderlei blasts UFC and announces retirement
Wanderlei receives lifetime ban from commission for escape
Wanderlei guarantees: 'The war is just beginning'
Wanderlei argues: 'I wouldn't accept the UFC Hall of Fame'
The subject could not have been left out of the press conference that Ultimate's president, Dana White, gave to journalists at the preview of UFC 178, which takes place this Saturday (27), in Las Vegas, in the United States. And White highlighted that he saw an inconsistency in the Brazilian's words in relation to his behavior in the past.
According to White, Wand never showed dissatisfaction with his situation in the UFC – on the contrary. According to the director, the Brazilian was full of praise for the event's leadership. “Lorenzo [Fertitta, one of the UFC owners] was telling me: every single time we saw Wanderlei Silva in our lives, he told us 'you are the best, you built the sport, I don't know where we would be if it weren't for you'. He told us nothing but positive things. He also told me that he thought we were the best in the world and helped build the sport”, said the Ultimate boss.
Dana White responded to Wanderlei's recent attitudes. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
White insisted on his opinion that Wanderlei is taking shots at the UFC in order to take attention away from the doping controversy in which he was involved. “Now he’s in this situation and he’s trying to put up a smokescreen. I don't blame him. I can't say he wouldn't do the same if he were in your position. It’s part of the business”, said the manager.
Wanderlei also stated that would not accept entry into the UFC Hall of Fame if you were invited. White, on the other hand, said that the refusal will not be necessary, as the Brazilian does not have space in the select group. To illustrate, the boss compared the Brazilian with former baseball player Pete Rose, who, despite holding several records, was banned from the sports Hall of Fame for being involved in betting. “There will be no Hall of Fame [for Wanderlei]. The guy was in the same situation as Pete Rose. There’s going to be no Hall of Fame offers,” he explained.
Comments