TUESDAY NEWS DIGEST 5/3: Anderson Silva is not happy with UFC or GSP (w/Hiscoe’s Analysis)

By Mike Hiscoe, MMATorch contributore

Anderson Silva (photo credit Ed Mulholland © USA Today Sports)

The typically affable Anderson Silva isn’t happy with UFC or Georges St. Pierre.

In an appearance on “The MMA Hour” on Monday, Silva said that when he was offered his latest UFC contract, that he was told he would fight St. Pierre when GSP was ready to return. Now, St. Pierre is fighting for the title in Silva’s longtime division, and Silva wants answers.

“I don’t know what happened,” Silva said. “Nothing happened [regarding a fight between me and St-Pierre]. Georges St. Pierre is back to fight and back to fight for the belt. It’s terrible. It don’t make sense. I know it’s a f—ing business, but I’m working hard for a long time.”

It’s not just that he isn’t getting the promised fight with GSP that upsets Silva, it’s also that he feels he should be the one to be challenging Michael Bisping. “I win my fight in London against Bisping” he said. “Why no putting me for fight with Bisping? I don’t care for the belt, but I won the fight in London. Why no put me in the fight, because Georges no ready for fight with Bisping. What the f— is going on?”

The frustration may be enough for Silva to hang up his gloves for good. Silva proposed an Interim Middleweight Title fight between himself and Yoel Romero, but if that doesn’t pan out, he may have to step away from the sport. “I’m far too old and I’m done, bro,” Silva said. “I’m sorry. I know I need to respect my fans – I respect my fans. I’m sorry guys. I love the sport. I love fighting. Fighting is my life. But it’s too much bullsh–.”

Hiscoe’s Analysis: Anderson Silva is going to have to get in line with everyone else who doesn’t like a Michael Bisping vs. GSP middleweight title fight. Unfortunately for everyone that is upset, GSP was in the position to call the shots here and the Bisping fight is the fight he wanted. He’s also apparently dictating when (and possibly where) the fight will take place, furthering frustration with the delay. Silva is probably lower down the list of people who should be upset by this situation, but if he was expecting to get the GSP fight, I can see his side. I’m not ready to concede that an interim title is necessary quite yet, but the longer this goes on, the more sense it begins to make.

TUESDAY NOTEBOOK ITEMS…

-Dana White and Forrest Griffin took CNN on a behind the scenes tour of their new headquarters in Las Vegas. It’s a 15-acre facility that includes UFC’s new Performance Institute, a full-service restaurant, outdoor meeting areas and more. (LINK)

-Chuck Liddell’s longtime trainer John Hackleman told the Anik and Florian Podcast that he would consider training Liddell for a potential comeback. “It’s whatever is in his heart,” Hackleman said. “Three million bucks? Who is gonna tell someone, ‘No. I’m not gonna allow you to make $3 million, which is more than most people make in three lifetimes.’”

-Former UFC owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta formed Fertitta Capital, a private equity investment firm on Monday, and have used $500 million of their UFC sale money to get started. “There is tremendous opportunity in the market for a firm that combines patient capital with this unique team of experienced investors and operators,” Fertitta said in a press release. ”Our long-term view enables us to avoid mandated investment timelines and instead focus exclusively on what really matters—understanding the needs of the companies we partner with and helping them achieve their operational and financial objectives.” (SOURCE)

-Rory MacDonald told BJPenn.com: “I will get my title shot right after I go out there and knock out (Paul) Daley.”


NOW CHECK OUT YESTERDAY’S UPDATE: MONDAY NEWS DIGEST 5/1: McCarthy says fans are confusing and fighters are confused by inconsistent MMA rules (w/Hiscoe’s Analysis)


(MMATorch’s Daily News Digest features the top story of the day with added analysis, plus smaller tidbits in the News Notes section. Mike Hiscoe, who writes the News Digest Sundays through Thursdays, has a background in film criticism and previously wrote for the DVD Town and Movie Metropolis websites. His passion for Mixed Martial Arts goes back to 2005, but it was in the promotion for UFC 60: Hughes vs. Gracie that he really got hooked.”This is my house, I build it,” is still among the all-time great UFC promos. You can follow Mike on social media under the tag @mikehiscoe. He now provides his experienced writing and perspective on live MMA events for MMATorch.)

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