(There ain’t no party like a Wanderlei party ’cause a Wanderlei party COMES WITH JALAPENO POPPERS AND A FREE $5 POWER CARD. Photo via Vegas News.)
Scott Coker & Co. continue to snatch up disgruntled former Zuffa employees like hot cakes, Nation, as Bellator has just announced that former UFC/Pride star Wanderlei Silva will be making an appearance at the Bellator 131 kickoff party inside Dave & Buster’s this Friday to take pictures and sign autographs.
The announcement comes a month after the #2 promotion in MMA managed to scoop up Royce Gracie as a “brand ambassador” in what could only be considered a triumphant middle finger to the UFC. From a Bellator press release sent out earlier today:
“The Axe Murder” Joins #Bellator131 Pre-Party Kickoff As Wanderlei Silva Set To Appear At Dave & Buster’s On Friday, November 14
Silva Joins Royce Gracie, Randy Couture and Frank Shamrock In Preparation for #Bellator131 on Saturday, November 15
Newport Beach, Calif. (November 10, 2014) – The festivities surrounding Saturday’s #Bellator131 continue to grow as Bellator will host a pre-party kickoff event from San Diego’s Dave & Buster’s on Friday, November 14. After weigh-ins, fans are invited to take pictures and have autographs signed with MMA legends Royce Gracie, Randy Couture, Frank Shamrock, and now MMA icon Wanderlei Silva beginning at 6pm PST. Silva will join the other MMA legends in attendance for #Bellator 131 on Saturday, November 15.“After we saw just an overwhelming response to our Bellator Fan Fest a few weeks ago, we wanted to once again give our fans a chance to be a part of something special and give everyone the opportunity to spend time with a group of fighters that built the sport we all love,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “We have events taking place all week around the San Diego area as we prepare for the biggest night of fights in company history, and we want everyone to be a part of it.”
You simply have to love Bellator’s blatant disregard for common decency here. Wandy was literally chased out of the sport and banned for life mere months ago amidst a drug testing scandal, only to be scooped up by a promotion he’s never even fought for in a rather transparent attempt to boost their brand. Basically, if you’re a famous face associated with the sport in any tenuous way, Scott Coker gives not a fuck about the sketchiness of your past. It’s a good thing those charges against Anthony Johnson were dropped or we’d probably hear word of him hosting a Bellator Bingo night in the near future.
But yeah. Wanderlei Silva. Royce Gracie. And the stars of Gym Rescue. At a Dave & Busters. It’s a great time to be an MMA fan with a passion for skeeball.