In news that I wouldn’t call surprising, it looks like Wanderlei Silva has dropped out of UFC 175.
3rd update:
At the Fight Night press conference media scrum in Germany, Dana White said the fight between Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort would be at 185 and not at 205. He also said that if Vitor Belfort can’t get licensed, the fight will be scrapped and they don’t have a plan B (he really means C).
He also had two contradicting things to say about Wanderlei. Many people listening thought he said Wanderlei was done with the UFC. But then he restated and said he meant Wanderlei was done with UFC 175 and he’d let the NSAC handle the situation. Wanderlei is supposed to have recorded a video as his response to this entire mess.
2nd update:
According to Shaun Al-Shatti, Wanderlei Silva failed to apply for his Nevada license and also refused to take his drug test.
Vitor Belfort will also have to probably have to undergo supplemental drug testing and the NSAC will give his license a comprehensive review at a June 17 meeting.
On UFC Tonight, Chael Sonnen said the fight would be at 205 pounds, which seems ridiculous considering it’s rumored to be a number one contender’s fight for the middleweight belt.
1st update:
The UFC released a statement about the situation.
Due to issues related to Wanderlei Silva’s licensing in the state of Nevada, the UFC was forced to seek a replacement opponent to face Chael Sonnen at UFC 175 on Saturday, July 5 in Las Vegas. Former UFC champion Vitor Belfort has accepted the fight with Sonnen, subject to Belfort receiving a license to compete from the Nevada Athletic Commission.
Original post:
According to Combate, Wanderlei Silva didn’t show up to the get licensed for the fight and has been replaced by Vitor Belfort.
The irony of Belfort being the replacement is that Belfort had to pull out of his fight with Chris Weidman, which was the original UFC 173 main avent, after the NSAC banned the usage of TRT. Weidman’s fight was pushed back two months and both are now on the same card. If Belfort beats Sonnen, you’d think the next logical fight would be with the winner of Chris Weidman vs. Lyoto Machida for the middleweight title.
I’m sure there will be more to this soon and we’ll add to the story.