Filho: “They didn’t pay what I deserve”

By Guilherme Cruz

Photo Eduardo Ferreira

Paulo Filho was the biggest star at Bitetti Combat’s sixth edition, which took place last night at Brasilia, Brazil. But the former Pride fighter didn’t show up in the weigh-ins neither in the octagon against Yuki Sasaki. The promoters announced that Filho was out due to “personal problems”.

TATAME.com called Paulo this morning and he revealed other reasons to not flying to Brasilia. “We didn’t have a financial agreement. The purse was too low comparing from what I’m used to receive and it’s bad for the fighter’s career,” Filho said, revealing that the problems with the two latest editions of the event also made him decide not to fight.

Yesterday, Sherdog website published that Filho had problems with drugs and pills dependency, but he denies. “They said I’m having problems with drugs and medicines… You can test me and you’ll see… I’m great,” guarantees, wishing a better contract. “I’m not worried with fighting in Brazil anymore. I like the event, Amaury is my friend, but this event doesn’t pay what I deserve”.

Before Thales Leites vs. Rico Washington fight, the promoters announced that Filho was out due “personal problems” and the Japanese Yuki Sasaki challenged the former Pride fighter. “That’s the least he can do,” Filho answered. “He may be frustrated, but that was better to him. He knows he can’t handle me, you can’t compare my record to his. If he wanna get beat by me, ask for it. If someone pays what I deserve, It’ll be my pleasure to beat him up”.