When you hear there is Wanderlei Silva news these days it is usually entertaining. This is. Silva, who cheated, got caught, was punished, and is upset about it has been on a Twitter tear; speaking out about Reebok and saying it sucks and all that. He’s probably just more outspoken than others in that regard but OK – not unique. He’s generally just been a continued pain in the ass and weirdo.
Today, he may have finally got what he wanted: absolute attention of the UFC. All it took was him rambling and claiming that the UFC fixes fights and that he can prove it.
“They fired him. That’s right. They fired ‘Stitch’ for standing against this theft being perpetrated on the athletes. So I wonder, ‘why don’t they fire me?’ I already said I do not want to, nor will I work any more for to this promotion. And they won’t dismiss me. That’s what happens to those who speak the truth in this company; they’re driven out. They have no respect for anyone. I’ve made it very clear to you all that I will never again fight for this promotion, the U.F. Circus. Fixed fights – and I can prove it! I haven’t yet dropped the bomb. I haven’t said everything I know!”
“Either you do what they tell you, or you’re fired. I won’t give up until they free the athletes. This promoter is killing our sport. There are fighters going back to work to support their families because they can’t live from the sport alone. They’re very poorly paid. We are getting organized and soon I’ll have news for my brothers in the ring. This will not stand! Some have tried to buy me, but I am not, nor have I ever been for sale. And I will fight to the end, to unmask these promoters, who are deceiving the public, cheating, and taking the dignity and the honor from our sport! This is turning a pro-wrestling show with fixed fights. We have to stop these guys because that’s the end of the line for us!”
On every level, this is awesome:
- Him knowing.
- Him not just knowing but having proof.
- Him having fought in PRIDE for years and never questioning any of that – whilst PRIDE actually did work fights.
Silva of course had more gimmie fights than maybe anyone in PRIDE history, as he was matched up with one terrible terrible Japanese fighter after a while. Were they fixed? No. Even if PRIDE told them to lose it wouldn’t matter because none of them were going to beat Silva anyways. Did some “know” they should lose for business? Maybe, but I doubt it. But he also fought guys – whilst he was champion – who do not have Wikipedia pages. I know that’s not the end all be all proof of someone’s worth but … yeah.
My guess is his definition of work is like a lot of people’s: the guy I liked lost so this is fixed. Still this is beyond anything he’s ever said before. It’s the sort of thing that gets people sued – except that the UFC is probably better off pretending Silva doesn’t exist.
I wonder how much of what he meant was lost in translation, but knowing him probably not a lot.
Excited to see Wandy to do the j.o.b. to Dana in the cage, since it’s fake.