Paulo Filho Not Looking to Fight Anderson Silva

by Cannon Jacques on Sep 4, 2008 7:51 PM EDT

Promoted by Kid Nate

Apparently, Paulo Filho is sticking to earlier statements and asserting that he has no desire to fight his friend and teammate, Anderson Silva. From MMA Junkie:

Filho recently today told Tatame.com he was not considering the bout despite recent comments from Ed Soares, manager for both Filho and Silva, to the contrary.

"Definitely no," Filho said of a potential bout with Silva. "We're close friends and I believe there's space for everybody [in the UFC]. It's definitely out of my plans."

Discussions of the bout first began with UFC President Dana White's recent comments that Zuffa LLC -- owners of both the UFC and WEC -- will merge the WEC's 205-pound and 185-pound divisions into the UFC.

The undefeated Filho is ranked second in WAMMA's most recent middleweight world rankings. Only Silva is ranked higher.

Well, this isn't the best of news. While there's a decent amount of talent in the UFC's middleweight division, the problem is that none of these fighters seem to be up to the task of challenging the Spider. A lot of people have been clamoring for a Filho/Silva throwdown. Sadly, it looks like this fight isn't in the cards any time soon. Looking on the bright side, you can see Filho in action against Chael Sonnen on September 10. He'll be defending his WEC title once again after the first fight with Sonnen ended questionably.

1 recs | Comment 26 comments

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“We’re close friends” = scared of losing.

Tito Ortiz tried pulling that when first approached about fighting Chuck Liddell.

by INGO B on Sep 4, 2008 8:22 PM EDT 0 recs

BINGO

Or should I say INGO B?

by Blackout612 on Sep 4, 2008 9:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

Classic.

What a great post, I signed up for the site just because of that comment too. However, if they both get a high profile 3 win fight streak in the UFC it will happen because they’ll throw extra money at them.

$$ > Friendship.

by xx2000xx on Sep 4, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

That's OK

Filho looked sloppy in his last fight against Chael Sonnen, since then he has had his little drug episode. I’m not so optimistic he will fare any better the second time around with Sonnen, And so what if he doesn’t want to fight Silva. Dan Henderson is dying for another crack at that ass

by nitro on Sep 4, 2008 8:34 PM EDT 0 recs

You've got a point.

I’m not sure how his drug and depression problems affected the last fight with Sonnen. We should get a better idea of where Filho is after his fight next week. I think Henderson has a chance against Silva, too. He’s just got to be more disciplined and not try to stand and strike with him if he gets another shot at the Spider.

by Cannon Jacques on Sep 4, 2008 9:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

Filho didn't just fall of his wagon

He fell off mine.

Dude is not in any way mentally prepared for a fight with Silva. He’d be smart to not take the fight, but the excuse could be considered a cop out. I like Filho and I certainly think he’s top ten at 185, but he’s not the fighter he’s made out to be and he’s not on Silva’s lever (though no one truly is).

by Blackout612 on Sep 4, 2008 9:13 PM EDT 0 recs

Wait.. Everyone is on Silva's lever

But no one is on his level. Real good then..

by Blackout612 on Sep 4, 2008 9:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

If I were him, I wouldn’t want to fight Silva either.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard on Sep 4, 2008 9:37 PM EDT 0 recs

I'd come up with any excuse that didn't paint me

to be a flower-gardening, tutu-sporting, mascara-wearing vegan who talks about things like positive energy and a strange emotional connection with honeybees, if it kept me from fighting Anderson Silva.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Sep 4, 2008 10:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

Negotiating 101

He’s driving up the price for a fight. It doesn’t matter if his contract is for a certain amount per fight, if Dana wants him to take THIS fight hes going to have to kick down a few more dollars.

by Day Man on Sep 4, 2008 10:52 PM EDT 0 recs

Also I think he knows he can’t win. Could you imagine training with that monster every day and then someone wants you to fight him?

by Day Man on Sep 4, 2008 10:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

I sort of think that the two genuinely don’t want to fight each other. Filho may not feel like he’s ready for Silva. Whatever the reason(s), I agree that there’s probably a dollar amount that would get these guys to put their friendship aside.

by Cannon Jacques on Sep 4, 2008 10:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

Whatever that dollar amount is, i’m quite sure it wouldn’t be worth it. Filho is relatively unknown to the casual fan, neither guy speaks english. No Hype = No PPV buys.

by nitro on Sep 4, 2008 11:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

People need to relax

They have stated several times that they would fight each other if the money was right for both of them. It is not uncommon for Filho to contradict himself in interviews. They will fight but only after Filho has beaten 4 or 5 opponents and the fanbase is demanding that they fight. Filho is milking the most money he can out of this fight, and I would too if I had to fight my best friend for the title belt.

One other thing I would like to mention, People seem to have short memories. Filho had stated RIGHT after the Sonnen fight that the cut to 185 has gotten to be to much for him and after his rematch with Sonnen he would seriously consider a move to 205lbs. I would not be surprised if that solution is revisted if he wins next week.

by Nick Travaglini on Sep 4, 2008 11:15 PM EDT 1 recs

Filho would be crazy to fight at 205 at 5’8"

by Mike Fagan on Sep 5, 2008 1:36 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yes, all the talk about ‘close friends’ is their way of saying ‘If you want us to fight you have to up the pay’.

by Benicio on Sep 4, 2008 11:23 PM EDT 0 recs

he’s probably the best dressed mma fighter in his weight class.

"No one makes me bleed my own blood."

by monkeyfightclub! on Sep 5, 2008 1:10 AM EDT 0 recs

The sleeveless flannels are all class.

by Blackout612 on Sep 5, 2008 2:50 AM EDT up 0 recs

I want to know...

if he just has that one sleeveless flannel and wears it out all the time. Or if he has a closet full of them.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Sep 5, 2008 8:47 AM EDT up 0 recs

I remember the WEC saying that shirt was his Dad’s or something and that is why he always wears it. So apparently, it is the only one of its kind! lol

by dnevil001 on Sep 5, 2008 9:00 AM EDT up 0 recs

That would be awesome if that’s all he had in his closet. Just like the girl Jerry dated in Seinfeld that wore the same dress over and over again.

"No one makes me bleed my own blood."

by monkeyfightclub! on Sep 5, 2008 11:38 AM EDT up 0 recs

Actually..

He has a closet full of the exact same flannel. Like 200 of them.

by Blackout612 on Sep 5, 2008 12:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

Paulho “The Cable Guy” Filho.

Git ’R Done.

by Kierkegaard on Sep 5, 2008 11:20 AM EDT up 0 recs

LOL

"No one makes me bleed my own blood."

by monkeyfightclub! on Sep 5, 2008 11:37 AM EDT up 0 recs

Filho trains with Silva all of the time and probably has a good idea of how he would do against him. He will probably duck this fight until he racks up a few wins in the UFC and then money will be too much for anyone to turn down.

by dnevil001 on Sep 5, 2008 8:59 AM EDT 0 recs