Malki Kawa says Anderson Silva turned down UFC 212 fight vs. Yoel Romero

Anderson Silva said earlier this week he wants to fight Yoel Romero at UFC 212, but according to Romero’s manager, the former middleweight champ declined the fight.

Anderson Silva said he wants to fight Yoel Romero, and “The Soldier of God” called out the former UFC middleweight champion last month. So that’s a good sign for everyone who wants to see Romero vs. Silva, right?

Not so fast.

Though “The Spider” expressed interest in fighting the 39-year-old in June at the UFC 212 press conference on Tuesday, the bout likely won’t happen, according to Romero’s manager.

Malki Kawa recently claimed on Twitter that Silva declined a fight with Romero at the upcoming pay-per-view event in Brazil.

Spider won’t fight @YoelRomeroMMA* just got word he turned it down ‍♂️

— malki kawa (@malkikawa) April 11, 2017

2)Yes I watched his press conference, and saw his remarks about Yoel. About an hour after, I was informed he turned it down

— malki kawa (@malkikawa) April 12, 2017

3) no, I don’t blame him. No one wants to fight him, not even the supposed … 4) we wait for title is next move

— malki kawa (@malkikawa) April 12, 2017

Romero wanted to fight Silva for the interim belt, but Kawa added that an interim title fight was not on the table.

No, no reason to. I don’t think he would’ve even if for the real belt https://t.co/yLtUrqkeUn

— malki kawa (@malkikawa) April 12, 2017

Silva, widely regarded as one of the best mixed martial artists to ever walk the planet, also stated that a rematch with former welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz intrigues him. Perhaps he has re-considered his options since the press conference and now plans to only push for the Diaz fight.

Silva was initially scheduled to face rising contender Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 212, but Gastelum was recently pulled from the card because of a failed USADA drug test for marijuana.

UFC 212 takes place live from Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 3. In the main event, featherweight champ Jose Aldo fights interim titleholder Max Holloway in a title-unification match.

Anderson Silva said earlier this week he wants to fight Yoel Romero at UFC 212, but according to Romero’s manager, the former middleweight champ declined the fight.

Anderson Silva said he wants to fight Yoel Romero, and “The Soldier of God” called out the former UFC middleweight champion last month. So that’s a good sign for everyone who wants to see Romero vs. Silva, right?

Not so fast.

Though “The Spider” expressed interest in fighting the 39-year-old in June at the UFC 212 press conference on Tuesday, the bout likely won’t happen, according to Romero’s manager.

Malki Kawa recently claimed on Twitter that Silva declined a fight with Romero at the upcoming pay-per-view event in Brazil.

Romero wanted to fight Silva for the interim belt, but Kawa added that an interim title fight was not on the table.

Silva, widely regarded as one of the best mixed martial artists to ever walk the planet, also stated that a rematch with former welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz intrigues him. Perhaps he has re-considered his options since the press conference and now plans to only push for the Diaz fight.

Silva was initially scheduled to face rising contender Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 212, but Gastelum was recently pulled from the card because of a failed USADA drug test for marijuana.

UFC 212 takes place live from Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 3. In the main event, featherweight champ Jose Aldo fights interim titleholder Max Holloway in a title-unification match.