Anderson says he is 'sad and disappointed' with UFC's treatment

Anderson (photo) said he was hurt by the UFC. Photo: Brandon Magnus/UFC

After José Aldo, Anderson Silva is yet another prominent Brazilian to publicly complain about the treatment he has been receiving from the UFC. The former middleweight champion, considered one of the greatest athletes in MMA history, revealed that he has received indifference from his bosses in recent months, especially after what happened at UFC 200 in July.

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At the time, Anderson offered at the last minute to replace Jon Jones, caught in doping, in the fight against Daniel Cormier. According to “Spider”, the UFC lacked gratitude for its attitude.

“I didn't even receive a 'thank you' from Dana [White, UFC president] or Lorenzo [Fertitta, then partner] after the last fight. Of course, I was the one who wanted to fight, who accepted the fight, but I know my value, my importance. I was very disappointed with the lack of respect that the UFC has treated Brazilian athletes. I'm an athlete who took the sport to another level. I do not receive, nor have I received, the due respect from people. This made me very upset, sad and disappointed with the UFC”, lamented Anderson, in an interview given to the website “UOL Esporte”.

Furthermore, Anderson revealed that he was invited to stand by to replace one of the protagonists of UFC 204, which takes place this Saturday (8), if necessary. The attitude also left him upset. “I didn’t talk to them or anyone else after my last fight. They even offered me to stay Stand by to if something happened to [Michael] Bisping or [Dan] Henderson. But even more absurd was how it got there. They didn't even talk to me. My representatives came as 'carrier pigeons'. I'm not one for errands. After everything I've done, do I still have to wait for a fight I won? I found it a little unpleasant,” he continued.

Anderson has already faced the two protagonists of UFC 204. In 2008, he submitted Dan Henderson in the second round to remain middleweight champion. In 2016, he faced Michael Bisping in London and lost in a close decision by the judges.

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