Ex-UFC Brazil exec says ‘lack of say’ led to departure from company

Former UFC Brazil executive Giovani Decker details some of the reasons why he left the company earlier this month.

Earlier this month, it was reported that UFC Brazil’s Senior Vice President and General Manager, Giovani Decker, resigned from his position with the company. Decker recently confirmed the news of his departure.

Decker said he had “many reasons” to leave the UFC after over a year and a half with the company. Decker wished to have more leverage as UFC Brazil’s VP and GM and wasn’t a fan of some of the last-minute decisions made involving Brazilian fighters.

“I’ll just name the main [reasons]: the lack of say I needed in order to do a good job and the last decisions involving Brazilians and title shots,” Decker said in an Instagram post (translation via BloodyElbow.com’s Lucas Rezende).

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to the UFC gave me. The last 18 months were amazing, when I was in charge of the UFC [Brazil]. I had many accomplishments, like having the opportunity and the pleasure to lead UFC 198, the biggest event in the history of Brazil, where over 15 thousand people attended the weigh-ins and over 45 thousand came to the show, the third biggest event in UFC history. I want to thank all athletes, who always treated me nicely and understood I was there to help and guide them. I want to let you guys know I was the one who learned a lot from all of you. I want to thank all the UFC fans for the positive energy. I will cherish every single one of those moments.”

Decker was hired by the UFC in March 2015 after a lengthy career in the Brazilian footwear industry. He is the former president of ASICS Brazil.

The last Brazilian event was Brasilia’s UFC Fight Night 95, headlined by Cris Cyborg vs. Lina Lansberg, in September. The organization returns to Sao Paulo next month for UFC Fight Night 100: Bader vs. Nogueira.

Former UFC Brazil executive Giovani Decker details some of the reasons why he left the company earlier this month.

Earlier this month, it was reported that UFC Brazil’s Senior Vice President and General Manager, Giovani Decker, resigned from his position with the company. Decker recently confirmed the news of his departure.

Decker said he had “many reasons” to leave the UFC after over a year and a half with the company. Decker wished to have more leverage as UFC Brazil’s VP and GM and wasn’t a fan of some of the last-minute decisions made involving Brazilian fighters.

“I’ll just name the main [reasons]: the lack of say I needed in order to do a good job and the last decisions involving Brazilians and title shots,” Decker said in an Instagram post (translation via BloodyElbow.com’s Lucas Rezende).

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to the UFC gave me. The last 18 months were amazing, when I was in charge of the UFC [Brazil]. I had many accomplishments, like having the opportunity and the pleasure to lead UFC 198, the biggest event in the history of Brazil, where over 15 thousand people attended the weigh-ins and over 45 thousand came to the show, the third biggest event in UFC history. I want to thank all athletes, who always treated me nicely and understood I was there to help and guide them. I want to let you guys know I was the one who learned a lot from all of you. I want to thank all the UFC fans for the positive energy. I will cherish every single one of those moments.”

Decker was hired by the UFC in March 2015 after a lengthy career in the Brazilian footwear industry. He is the former president of ASICS Brazil.

The last Brazilian event was Brasilia’s UFC Fight Night 95, headlined by Cris Cyborg vs. Lina Lansberg, in September. The organization returns to Sao Paulo next month for UFC Fight Night 100: Bader vs. Nogueira.