Wanderlei Silva removed from Bellator 131 appearance due to contractual obligations with the UFC

Bellator announced on Monday that longtime MMA legend Wanderlei Silva would join several UFC veterans in their pre-Bellator 131 programming in San Diego. It turns out he won’t after all.

Bellator announced on Tuesday that Silva will not be able to participate in Friday’s event in Dave & Busters “due to prior contractual obligations.”

The “official pre-party kick off” now features former UFC stars Royce Gracie, Randy Couture and Frank Shamrock.

Silva has made several appearances since he was banned for life from Nevada Athletic Commission for running from a random drug test earlier this year in Las Vegas, including live commentating an XFCi event in Brazil, but the UFC pulled the plug when he decided to promote the upcoming Bellator card in California.

Headlined by Tito Ortiz vs. Stephan Bonnar at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Bellator 131 features Will Brooks vs. Michael Chandler for the lightweight championship in the co-main event.

Bellator announced on Monday that longtime MMA legend Wanderlei Silva would join several UFC veterans in their pre-Bellator 131 programming in San Diego. It turns out he won’t after all.

Bellator announced on Tuesday that Silva will not be able to participate in Friday’s event in Dave & Busters “due to prior contractual obligations.”

The “official pre-party kick off” now features former UFC stars Royce Gracie, Randy Couture and Frank Shamrock.

Silva has made several appearances since he was banned for life from Nevada Athletic Commission for running from a random drug test earlier this year in Las Vegas, including live commentating an XFCi event in Brazil, but the UFC pulled the plug when he decided to promote the upcoming Bellator card in California.

Headlined by Tito Ortiz vs. Stephan Bonnar at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Bellator 131 features Will Brooks vs. Michael Chandler for the lightweight championship in the co-main event.