(Damn. Bellator spent $14.99 on those generic-ass MMA gloves for nothing? / Props: @zprophet_mma)
I know, I know — you were really looking forward to sharing some chicken tenders with MMA legend Wanderlei Silva at the San Diego Dave & Buster’s this Friday, and nod your head in agreement/confusion as he rants about the playboy promoters in business class. Well that’s not going to happen. Bellator announced yesterday that Silva will not be a part of the Dave & Buster’s fan event or any of the Bellator 131 pre-promotion festivities, “due to prior contractual obligations.” MMAJunkie adds:
“According to a source close to the promotion, who spoke to MMAjunkie on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, Bellator agreed to not utilize the former PRIDE champ and recently retired fighter when informed that he was still under contract with the UFC…
Late this past month, a UFC official told MMAjunkie that Silva remains under contract despite a rumored fight with Phil Baroni in Japan on New Year’s Eve. Typically, a fighter’s contract with the industry-leader is frozen, but not dissolved, in the event they retire.”
If you’ve been following the sport for a while, you’ll recall that the UFC sued Randy Couture back in January 2008 for providing comfort to the enemy in similar fashion, and we have no doubt that Wandy would be slapped with a lawsuit if he tried to attend the event at D&B’s, even as a civilian. Coincidentally, Couture will be in attendance to take pictures and sign autographs for fans at the San Diego Dave & Buster’s on Friday, along with Frank Shamrock and “Brand Ambassador” Royce Gracie.
In a related story, yesterday’s Bellator Taco Eating Contest was a massive success.