UFC
Wanderlei Silva claims to have proof of fight fixing in the UFC
Jul 23, 2015 - 4:30:52 PM Wanderlei Silva claims to have proof of fight fixing in the UFC

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Wanderlei Silva has gone off on another one of his rants, this time taking to Facebook in a pair of posts in reaction to Jacob "Stitch" Duran's firing. However, beyond his usual line of talk about the UFC, Silva's also making some serious allegations.

As has become the case with Silva, he went cryptic at times, but claims to have proof of fixed fights happening inside the Octagon, and says he simply hasn't dropped "the bomb" yet.

"They fired him. That's right. They fired 'Stitch' for standing against this theft being perpetrated on the athletes," Silva wrote in his first post (translated by MMAJunkie.com). "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," he added in the second. "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!"

Penick's Analysis: If Silva has proof of fights being fixed in the UFC it could be an absolutely damning story. But if you believe the organization would risk that type of thing happening... It's just much, much more likely than not that Silva's talking out of his ass and trying to goad the UFC into simply releasing him from his contract while he remains sidelined. He's making it clear he won't be fighting for them (though it's not a surety he'll wind up fighting again anywhere else anyway), and seems to be throwing these comments out for the reaction they're sure to bring. If he has hard evidence, bring it forth, let's see it, and react from there.

[Wanderlei Silva art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]