– For the second time this year, the UFC has terminated the contract of Thiago Silva. After the welterweight was charged with assault in an incident involving his wife earlier this year, the promotion cut ties with him. However, after all charges were dropped, they resigned him earlier this month.
Earlier this week, his ex-wife released a video detailing illegal drug use and even showed him with a weapon, which you can view in the video above. The UFC released a statement and has once again severed ties with him.
“Thiago Silva was released from his UFC contract on Feb. 7 due to his arrest by police in South Florida. The charges against Silva were dropped by the Broward County District Attorney’s office and Silva was re-signed to the UFC earlier this month. Based on new information received today in the form of video and audio evidence, Silva has been terminated from his UFC contract.”
– Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos will return to the Octagon this December, headlining UFC on FOX 13 against Stipe Miocic. The event takes place from Phoenix and the U.S. Airways Center.
Dos Santos (16-3) was forced out of a planned May bout with Miocic (12-1) after injuring his hand. “Cigano” last fought in 2013, falling to Cain Velasquez. Miocic, meanwhile, stopped Fabio Maldonado in Brazil in his last bout.
– Wanderlei Silva announced his retirement Friday night in a video message posted online that you can view in the video above. “The Axe Murderer” remains locked in a legal battle with the Nevada Athletic Commission over a drug test he declined to take. Silva’s attorney is fighting a possible suspension.
“I come here with a heavy heart,” Silva said. “Today is a very sad day for me. I can’t keep being treated this way. After today, Wanderlei Silva will not fight again. My career is over.”
Wanderlei also took some shots at his former employer.
“If you’re not going to give them [the fighters] money, you should at least give them respect,” Silva said. “Seeing how an athlete is treated. I feel like I don’t have a dignified stage where the athletes are respected. That’s the minimum a fighter deserves. If you’re not going to give them money, you should at least give them respect. The few fighters who have a name are forced to fight all year long, because they want to make 50 events a year. They are wearing down the athletes; they make them fight under any circumstances and any conditions. As if; either they accept any fight or they’re worthless… They don’t give anything to the athletes – only crumbs. And this is a shameless lack of respect, but enough is enough. Now I will keep my eyes on you, and I will speak the truth. They try to turn the public against us.”
Silva (35-12-1) hasn’t fought since a 2013 knockout win over Brian Stann. He holds wins over the likes of Cung Le, Michael Bisping, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Dan Henderson.
– The UFC has suspended light heavyweight contender Anthony Johnson after a report cited “Rumble” for allegations of domestic violence. BloodyElbow.com first reported the claims, which date back to 2012.
Johnson posted a message on Facebook in response, writing “The s–t (people) will say and the lengths (people) will go just to tell a (expletive) lie is ridiculous. That’s all I’m going to say and thank you all for the support and positive feedback that I’m getting.”
The UFC also released a statement regarding the decision to suspend Johnson. He has been rumored for a potential No. 1 contender match with Alexander Gustafsson in 2015:
“We are aware of the situation involving Anthony Johnson. As a result, we are suspending him indefinitely. We are using a third-party law firm to conduct a formal investigation and once we have more information, we’ll determine whether further course of action is necessary.”
– Todd Duffee is returning to the Octagon this December, taking on Anthony Hamilton at UFC 181. The bout has been added to a night that features a pair of world titles, as Chris Weidman meets Vitor Belfort for the middleweight belt and Anthony Pettis battles Gilbert Melendez for the lightweight crown.
Duffee (8-2) hasn’t fought since a 2012 victory over Phil De Fries. He has been on the sidelines after finding out he has Parsonage Turner Syndrome. Hamilton (12-3) has gone 1-1 in two UFC fights, including a recent win over Ruan Potts.
