Paulo Filho Pulls Out of Another Fight Because of 'Personal Problems'
by Anton Tabuena on Feb 22, 2010 8:00 AM EST
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Paulo Filho (19-1) still hasn't gotten over these personal issues that has been bothering him for years now, and has withdrawn from yet another bout days before the event:
The personal turbulence surrounding Paulo Filho continues, as the standout middleweight has withdrawn from his scheduled Feb. 25 bout with Yuki Sasaki at Bitetti Combat 6.
Event promoter Amaury Bitetti told Tatame Saturday that Filho was dealing with "personal problems," and that pulling out of the scheduled bout with Sasaki would be in his best interest, though he hoped Filho would compete on future Bitetti Combat cards.
Despite reeling off three consecutive wins since his infamous loss to Chael Sonnen back in 2008, the former WEC Middleweight Champion still can't quite get back on track as he has still been constantly dealing with those problems. The last time he pulled out of a fight was at DREAM.12, where he states that it was because of depression and an addiction to sleeping pills:
Paulão should have fought the Dream again in late October, but missed the event at the last minute. Officially claimed had failed to Japanese visa, but later revealed that the true cause of his absence was the depression.
They also confirmed that Filho's depression was caused by an addiction to sleeping pills. A problem that is plauging a lot more fighters these days and we are familiar with due to the Karo Parisyan pulling out at UFC 106.
Two years ago, the addiction to sleeping pills Paulão led to a depression which disturbs him to this day.
As much as people want to make jokes about Filho's 'ghosts', this issue isn't something to be taken lightly, as more and more fighters seem to fall victim to different addictions and substance abuse, may it be to pain medication, sleeping pills, alcohol, or even steroids. These problems were more commonly seen in pro-wrestling circuits, and we can only hope that MMA doesn't stray further down that road.
Replacing the troubled middleweight against Yuyi Sasaki, is the former UFC no.1 contender, Thales Leites, who is coming off another lackluster and 'boring' decision over Dean Lister. Alistair's brother Valentijn Overeem, also had to pull out of the Bitetti Combat 6 card due to an undisclosed injury, and will be replaced by Fabio Maldonado.
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He and his team need to get his shit together before taking another fight. Taking fights and pulling out can’t be good for his head, and it sucks for his opponents and the promoters when he has to repeatedly pull out.
I would think that this path will likely lead to most promotions wanting nothing to do with him.
Would be better to be that fighter making a comeback from “issues” after he is cleaned up than the fighter that burnt all those bridges with promotions by pulling tactics like in this instance.
Unfortunately and for very different reasons, he’s almost as radioactive as Barnett at this point. Everyone wants to see evidence that he’s changed, but no one is going to take the risk on him that would allow him to prove that he’s changed.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
Which is why he should walk away and cool off.
Taking any fights right now only provides more opportunities for him to burn bridges.
could have been the best
i’ve heard a lot of fighters say that he would have been one of if not the best fighter if he didn’t get his head !#&*ed up what a shame
For those that dont fight or train
It can be hard to imagine the beating your body takes on a day to day basis. Even on none sparring days your joints get torqued your spine compressed mat burns etc so I fear this is goin to become a major issue especially in amateurs that is going to carry over into the pros in the upcoming years. Compound training six days a week with working full time sometimes it takes a handfull of aspirin to get out of bed and these habits will stick with a fighter even if he goes pro but then you become surrounded by yes men and the type of pain killers get stronger and stronger I believe pain pill and other substance abuse is the number one threat to mma in the future
by ohiomma on Feb 22, 2010 8:58 AM EST via mobile reply actions
While I’m sure what you’re saying is all true 99.99% of fighters don’t have the problems Filho or Karo have had with drugs, for some reason those guys just have a harder time managing it than others do. Seems like more of an isolated incident than a widespread problem to me.
by ufc4 on Feb 22, 2010 10:18 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I don’t get guys like this… Him and Karo especially.. Yes training is a tough life. So is the military life..
I can’t just say oh hey I’m not going to support my family today or for the next year or so because I don’t feel good mentally…
You have to fight to make money. That is their job. Go to work or get a new job no?
A fighter’s lifestyle is laughable to a serviceman’s. At the end of the day there are some jobs that are going to be harder than others. You chose this life so get to work. I do not sympathize
In fairness…
Chronic/chemical depression isn’t something you choose to have. Paulo should deal with it in a more responsible manner, but his problems aren’t solely a result of his chosen profession.
by Worldisart on Feb 22, 2010 9:05 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Ouuch.
Illnesses like depression can be really crippling. I agree with Worldisart, maybe Filho should just simply walk away from competing and deal with his problems. Things like anxiety attacks can have an adverse affect on your performance and can be extremely dangerous in combat sports.
This is something that you can not dismiss and simply say toughen up and handle your business.
yes, some times I'm an old curmudgeon
by VeeisAnimated on Feb 22, 2010 9:10 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
wow.
You don’t know either of these guys, nor what is going on with them entirely… There are people who deal with addiction and depression from all walks of life, so while you don’t have to sympathize, you can’t generalize either, as if this is some kinda of rarity, or surprise in a sport that imposes such physical demands on the fighters’ bodies for such long periods of time.
I'm like PacMan fightin you silly kids... throw ya Hatton the ring, and get knocked outlike Ricky did.
lol.
by Loot on Feb 22, 2010 9:41 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Fair criticism
While his issues aren’t to be taken lightly, I think the criticism he’s received is fair. Continually taking fights and then pulling out when he and his team know that his personal problems might rear their head again isn’t fair to his opponents, to the promoters or to him.
Paulo needs to either pull it together or walk away from the sport until he can.
by Worldisart on Feb 22, 2010 9:03 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I too suffer from this as well as my mother. She gets checks from the government because hers is so bad she is incapable of providing for herself. So I do not need your lecture.
You do say those things when you are a responsible adult providing for a family..I have suffered through the same things I have missed work missed class etc..But having a family now shows me that that was a luxury that I can’t afford now.
If you don’t provide for your family because you don’t " feel well" well you should be shot quite honestly. Man the fuck up and Get to work. Not trying to be a dick but when you have those problems thats what you have to tell urself. I do it and I say this because of experience
so you suffered through the things that you said are bullshit?
Also you seem pretty sure that his kids are starving…maybe they’re just fine and would like Paulo to get better.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 22, 2010 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
Holy hell, I don’t even know where to begin with you. So I’m just not going to. You aren’t worth it.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
Holier than thou eh? Why is every1 so touchy feely on a fighting website? You do know this sport entails viciously knocking out your opponent right? I’m not saying we have to get all neathendral (?) but this metro stuff is a little nuts no?
Neither holier-than-thou, nor “touchy feely”, nor bothered by violence. More disturbed by your intentional ignorance and lack of empathy, and far too experienced to bother getting into an internet pissing match with you. Metro stuff? Feminized? Where the fuck would I even start? Forget it.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
The violence is WHY I care about his mental well being. When the guy is having mental breakdowns in the cage he is put in a situation where he could be seriously hurt or killed because he isn’t able to properly defend himself.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 22, 2010 11:33 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
They are bullshit because they are part of life. Not everything can be perfect. I feel we live in a feminized country where we try to console each other for every little thing. Sometimes its best to just be a godamn man. But hey Im getting warning about my posts so I guess Ill try to ease up.
I dunno I just have a problem with fighters getting this special treatment while the average guy has to suck it up and deal with it. I think a fighter is in similar terms of a servicemen.
They chose a profession which requires mental and physical toughness…
I have suffered thru depression and have been a servicemen. My comments are not without warrant and I say them as a way to show people that you can overcome these problems you have to will yourself thru them.
Perhaps Filho isn’t mentally tough as you or he doesn’t have the same kind of support at home as you. Maybe his depression is worse or maybe he had been getting better and something triggered a relapse. Whatever the reason it seems kind of odd that someone who has experienced the same things he has would be so tough on him. I bet when you were going through your problems they weren’t as highly publicized and you didn’t have some stranger on a website criticizing you for it. I don’t think it’s fair to judge when you really don’t have the slightest clue of what’s causing him these problems.
by ufc4 on Feb 22, 2010 10:26 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
you make a very thought out comment.. I agree with you.. All I’m saying is that me or you wouldn’t get sympathy from our employers or coworkers. Just because you are a fighter does not mean you should get special treatment..
All Im saying is that you should try using that reason as to why you couldnt make the big meetings at your job for the whole year. See how far you get in life like that..
People don’t know Unemployment is the number one reason for Depression.. Hence the Get to work routine..
Is it better if I hold his hand and tell him its gunna be ok?
Depression can lead people to kill themselves.. I have been down that road before also.. It sucks… Now I have a kid I don’t have the luxury to kill myself or let my depression effect her well being..
Yes I just said that.. Killing yourself and being depressed is a luxury that people who have family to take care of just cannot afford to due.
I’m sorry, I’m calling BS on your "experience" with depression. You may very well be honest about what happened to you, but this line put it over the top for me:
Depression can lead people to kill themselves.. I have been down that road before also.. It sucks… Now I have a kid I don’t have the luxury to kill myself or let my depression effect her well being..
Since you claim that it can lead to people killing themselves, yes, they do in fact need attention and special treatment. If you did in fact go through these things, you would without a doubt be more understanding of Paulo’s issues and not be so hard on him because you would understand where he’s coming from. This is the internet land, I can claim I’m a doctor even though I have the minimal knowledge on medical issues. If you are really being honest that you went through these things and sound the way you do, I really do feel bad that we have people that think the way you do.
Everywhere I’m go, all them guys they says to me to kick for to him!
All them is hate him. I don’t know why, but no is just me, is everybady!
I woodnt post something that wasnt true. I have had these problems. I got it from mommy dearest who has it way worse than me.. Im not nearly as bad as her but its still bad enough to have those not wanting to live not wanting to go to work hating every1 stuff.. Trust me it sucks man..
I dunno man the way I get thru it is thru my will… You have to will yourself everyday and be tough and get thru life… If I wasnt I likely wouldnt be alive… Being a depressed person is a terrible life… If I dont stay tough on myself I would probably just end it…
Depressed people look at life thru a different spectrum.. You must be tough to survive… Killing yourself because of depression and leaving your family and every1 who cares about you to rot is irresponsible and unforgivable…
alot of people in the service are this way too… I joined as well because of depression.. I was too depressed to live a normal life so I got up and did something about it.. I figured out if im all fucked up and want to kill myself I might as well take it out onto other evil people and kill them and use that side of me constructively and for a good cause instead of being a criminal..
Likeminded people attratct each other..
I met many people who where just as fucked up as I was and they felt similar… Its just something you have to get over and not think about…
I figured out if im all fucked up and want to kill myself I might as well take it out onto other evil people and kill them and use that side of me constructively
hmm…
by dancingChicken on Feb 22, 2010 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
It feels like you’re driven by anger. I don’t know if it’s a good “fuel”. Gomer Pyle bows…
by dancingChicken on Feb 22, 2010 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
the problem I have is this:
you say your mom has it worse than you, yet you are just as tough with your language in regards to her. If you say you were close enough to committing suicide, and you claim your mom has it much worse than you do, how can you not see that it’s possible for people who have these issues to off themselves by not being that mentally tough? Not everybody has the mind to be tough themselves, they need help. Even if you didn’t (and you claim yours is not as bad as your mom’s), there appears to be different levels of depressions coming from your language. Be nice to your mom, and show her some support. That’s part of being a good son!
Everywhere I’m go, all them guys they says to me to kick for to him!
All them is hate him. I don’t know why, but no is just me, is everybady!
I am nice to my mom.. She was never there for me . She didn’t raise me. She tries to manipulate me for money and other things.. She is mentally disturbed.. She was so wrapped up in her depression that she forgot about me.. I understand her to a point because it is terrible… But as a parent you do not have the luxury to let your problems ruin your child’s life. That’s all I’m saying. Sometimes you have to put other people’s problems ( your children ) over yours.
our brains is the most fragile organ in our system, sometimes we can’t control things that we would want to. Just because the majority of us have the ability to control ourselves more than others and stay mentally healthy, doesn’t mean we should have others put in the same standards as we do ourselves. some people need help and support, some more than others, may that be via medication and/or family/friends mediation. IMO It’s not a great thing to say “well, that person needs to man up and take care of their children etc” when they obviously have a serious problem.
You may have been able to get past your demons (congratulations btw, I mean that) and you think your mom should have been able to have done that herself, yet you recognize she has a bigger problem than you did. You also recognized that you almost committed or thought about committing suicide, yet you can’t recognize that her situation is much more problematic than yours was (according to what you have shared here). Who’s to say if your problem was as big as hers you wouldn’t have crossed that line? For all we know she could be more mentally strong for the fact that she’s still around, since her problem appears to be worse than yours. Some people need help, some more than others, just because most of us have a stable life doesn’t mean everyone has the same privilege and therefore put them in the same standards as we do ourselves. That’s all I’m saying.
Everywhere I’m go, all them guys they says to me to kick for to him!
All them is hate him. I don’t know why, but no is just me, is everybady!
exactly…Its called responsibility… You signed a contract.. You need to fulfill your contract to that promoter..
If I don’t fulfill my job contract then I get fired… Hopefully promoters will wisen up and not sign guys like him and Karo anymore …
Oh yea did I forget.. If I sign a contract with the military and fail to fulfill the contract I dont just get fired I go to jail… Thats real sympathetic huh?
Really not sure what this has to do with the topic at hand. If I stick my cock in a wood chipper I won’t be able to have kids anymore, so what?
by ufc4 on Feb 22, 2010 10:27 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
so no one should feel sorry for u if u do that… Thats pretty much the point.. You will be ridiculed and be the town ass forever which you deserve to be…
I’m just glad the majority of humans don’t think the way you do, we’d be doomed if that was the case.
Everywhere I’m go, all them guys they says to me to kick for to him!
All them is hate him. I don’t know why, but no is just me, is everybady!
lol, never expected to get a consensus from you on that line :p
Everywhere I’m go, all them guys they says to me to kick for to him!
All them is hate him. I don’t know why, but no is just me, is everybady!
i may be very blunt about certain things but i also can be logical .. shit u would agree with me if it didnt make u look like a horrible person to admitting to things that arent in a favored light..
I don’t agree with you and I don’t think I ever would. the reason it’s not in a “favored light” is because most of us disagree, it’s an uncommon position I would argue.
Everywhere I’m go, all them guys they says to me to kick for to him!
All them is hate him. I don’t know why, but no is just me, is everybady!
Hit the reply button, makes the comments a lot easier to follow.
by ufc4 on Feb 22, 2010 10:52 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
it’s not a matter of more and more fighters having personal problems. look at boxers over the years….fighters period are a masochistic, self-destructive bunch. many of whom need the routine of the gym just to make it through the day or to stay out of trouble.
Gatti. Dekkers. Pele. Aoki. Kang. Vanderlei. Basillio. Harry Greb.
by theworldsoldestsport on Feb 22, 2010 10:41 AM EST reply actions
look most fighters are people who are mentally disturbed anyway..This is the norm… Not to man normally people enjoy waking up and getting punched in the face everyday..When dealing with depression routine is the key to sanity.. Paulo may have too many yes men and not enough good people or good coaches around him pushing him to get thru things..
I mean a fight is only one night.. If you made it thru training even if u get beat up just go out there and get ur money… You can always make up that u were hurt depressed etc like every1 else does and people will still hype …
You’ve done the hard work! Shit get drunk and then go.. Do what you have to do..
Brock could have stuck with WWE or stuck with football. He chose a profession where he can beat the crap out of people smaller , weaker, and slower than him.. Brock enjoys beating people to a pulp and watching them suffer..
Rich franklin to me is the opposite end of the specrum,.. Enjoys the sport you can see also by his lack of killer instinct…
More fighters are like brock than rich its just a fact a normalcy for this occupation
I’m not trying to compare fighting to military service but there is no health insurance no retirement plan and for a lot of the fighters I know and me personally there isn’t a support structure. Its you and your team against the world. one of the big problems I see is this is accepted behavior in many gyms and not even hidden. And on a personal note I’ve noticed constant dehydration gets me very depressed. And the head aches get unbearable at times. Then imagine strapping on the gloves and taking shots to the head its a rough life and many find painkillers as an easy out
by ohiomma on Feb 22, 2010 11:10 AM EST via mobile reply actions
exactly taking an easy way out… Why should that person be felt bad for when they continuously take the easy way out.. When your in highschool it is forgivable but if your a grown man…Yea ur def kinda sounds exactly like the military like the guy below me said lol..
The only difference is health insurance… Oh yea did you forget that many people die in the military… MMA is an easy job compared to what CroCop Paulo Thiago do for a living. Why do u think Fedor can maintain his calm at all times… Hello? It did not come from sitting in a mirror practicing scary faces… Fedor has probably seen some of the worst stuff mankind can do… Stepping in the ring is nothing to guys like that..
Military >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> MMA
in terms of harsh life terms
What else is new?
Paulo, please, go to rehab and get your life back!!!!
Haven't you heard that the bird is the word?
paulao is one of my favorite fighters, but
Pain killers and bi-polarism seemed to have claimed his career. It wasn’t but 2 yrs ago mma world wide ranked him above anderson. Paulao at his prime was a legit threat to Anderson that is for sure.
by Raycetpfl on Feb 22, 2010 1:26 PM EST via mobile reply actions
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