Wanderlei Silva didn’t go to press conference because he would have fought Chael Sonnen

Wanderlei Silva gives his reason why he skipped the Bellator NYC pre-fight presser last Thursday.

For the first time since their rivalry came to be in 2014, Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva were slated to meet other at a press conference last Thursday in Los Angeles. It was in preparation for their long-overdue grudge match scheduled for Bellator’s New York City pay-per-view event on June 24th.

“The Axe Murderer”, however, decided to skip the said media event, stating he was not feeling well. But during Tuesday’s pre-fight conference call, Silva revealed his real reason, which was not at all surprising given his history with “The American Gangster.”

“The truth is I no go to the press conference, because I don’t want to do what Cyborg do to that girl that talked sh-t about her,” Silva said (via MMA Fighting). “When I [see] Chael, I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I’m a professional, but this guy crossed the line with me and played with the wrong guy.”

Silva, of course, was referring to the scuffle that ensued between Cris Cyborg and Angela Magana at the UFC Athlete’s Retreat in May, which landed Cyborg a court date after being issued a citation for battery. Similarly, the former Pride middleweight champion believes it would be best if he was kept at a safer distance from Sonnen, whom he vows payback on just for statements made over the years.

“For me when I saw Chael in the same room it’s better we have security, because something is gonna happen. I’m professional. I hope I saw him just inside the cage,” Silva said. “He knows what he’s doing over here. He knows what he deserves. He knows I’m right and he’s wrong.”

“He did a lot of bad things for me here and now it’s time to payback.”

Bellator’s NYC card will take place at Madison Square Garden. It will be co-headlined by the rescheduled heavyweight fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Matt Mitrione.

Wanderlei Silva gives his reason why he skipped the Bellator NYC pre-fight presser last Thursday.

For the first time since their rivalry came to be in 2014, Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva were slated to meet other at a press conference last Thursday in Los Angeles. It was in preparation for their long-overdue grudge match scheduled for Bellator’s New York City pay-per-view event on June 24th.

“The Axe Murderer”, however, decided to skip the said media event, stating he was not feeling well. But during Tuesday’s pre-fight conference call, Silva revealed his real reason, which was not at all surprising given his history with “The American Gangster.”

“The truth is I no go to the press conference, because I don’t want to do what Cyborg do to that girl that talked sh-t about her,” Silva said (via MMA Fighting). “When I [see] Chael, I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I’m a professional, but this guy crossed the line with me and played with the wrong guy.”

Silva, of course, was referring to the scuffle that ensued between Cris Cyborg and Angela Magana at the UFC Athlete’s Retreat in May, which landed Cyborg a court date after being issued a citation for battery. Similarly, the former Pride middleweight champion believes it would be best if he was kept at a safer distance from Sonnen, whom he vows payback on just for statements made over the years.

“For me when I saw Chael in the same room it’s better we have security, because something is gonna happen. I’m professional. I hope I saw him just inside the cage,” Silva said. “He knows what he’s doing over here. He knows what he deserves. He knows I’m right and he’s wrong.”

“He did a lot of bad things for me here and now it’s time to payback.”

Bellator’s NYC card will take place at Madison Square Garden. It will be co-headlined by the rescheduled heavyweight fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Matt Mitrione.