Getbig.com: American Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
Getbig Misc Discussion Boards => Mixed Martial Arts (MMA/UFC) => Topic started by: SinCitysmallGUY on November 13, 2008, 08:28:51 AM
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Tatame.com is reporting (in Portuguese, translation via Google):
Suspended by the athletic committee of the United States on charges of doping, Antonio (Silva) can not fight in America before July 28, 2009, when it was terminating the suspension. After losing in the courts of the athletic commission, also saw the EliteXC, an event in which Silva was heavyweight champion, close the doors. With that the athlete had to get out of ATT demand for a new home, which has everything to be in Japan "I'm negotiating my way to Japan The Sengoku made me an offer to fight on January 4 and we are seeing that, "said Peza, who is entering the common justice against the athletic commission.
Pretty garbled, but the gist is clear. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva is considering violating his California suspension and fighting in Japan as early as January.
Vitor Belfort pulled a similar stunt in 2007 after being suspended in Nevada, he jumped ship and fought in Britain. Apparently it wasn't the end of the world as he later managed to fight in California and is apparently in good standing with American authorities. Personally I don't really blame Silva, after all the California State Athletic Commission hasn't exactly been fair and balanced in its decision.
He's also pretty much ignoring whatever legal claims zombie ProElite might still have on him contractually.
Something tells me there might be some long term legal headaches in all this for Silva. But if we get to see Josh Barnett vs Antonio Silva on January 4th, I'll take that chance.