Top-Ranked Filho Says Contract Only Included WEC

Undefeated and highly-ranked Paulo Filho recently spoke on his contract with Zuffa, citing that it only included a deal with the WEC and not the UFC. Did Filho get screwed? Is he ducking current champ and friend Anderson Silva? Find out more inside...

Despite Filho's status as one of the top Middleweights, he was only offered a deal with the WEC. Many think that the WEC and UFC are technically the same organization, as they are both owned by Zuffa, but as this example shows us, that isn't completely true. However, Filho is just anxious to start making a name for himself in the U.S. and doesn't seem upset by Zuffa's lack of explanation.

From CBS Sportsline:

Q: When Zuffa first approached you, did they give you a choice between fighting for the UFC or WEC?
PF: No. I wasn’t given a choice. I was offered a chance to fight in the WEC and that’s what I took.

Q: Was any detail provided as to why they wanted you for the WEC as opposed to the UFC?
PF: There was no detail given. The WEC is a huge organization, and I feel it’s one of the best in the world, and right now I think the opportunity for me to be in the WEC is a much better situation. There’s a lot of big names in the UFC, and I don’t have a huge name in the U.S. With the WEC, we’ll both be able to grow together. The WEC and Paulo Filho will be able to grow their names in the U.S. together, and that’s why I feel it’s a better choice for me.

Additionally, many felt that Filho had purposely asked to be placed in the WEC so he wouldn't have to fight his long-time friend and training partner Anderson Silva. Many experts believe that Filho is one of two people (Denis Kang being the other) who have a legitimate shot of taking down Silva. Did Filho duck the UFC deal so he wouldn't have to take on the number 1 Middleweight in the world and risk tarnishing his perfect record? Or did not want to put a cramp in his personal relationship with Silva? Filho says no, to both:

Q: There were reports that one reason why you’re in the WEC is because you’re good friends with current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and don’t want to fight him. Is that correct?
PF: We’re under the same management and we train together. That is true, but that’s not really the case (of why I’m in the WEC) as we chose to go to the WEC because I wanted to. But we are friends and I wouldn’t want to have that fight happen, but if that fight were to happen, then hey, we’d fight and it would be a phenomenal fight and then we’d go out to dinner after.

The Filho-Silva fight would be an absolute war, and Joe Silva (UFC matchmaker) might need to make it happen if Silva runs through Rich Franklin in October. Beyond Silva and Franklin, the UFC Middlewight division is quite week, and by far the weakest in the company. Adding a name like Filho (or free agent Kang) could really add some depth to this division and turn it into the new Heavyweight division.