Filho explains his absence: "Bitetti did not pay me enough"

Former WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Filho discussed his bizarre absence from the weigh-ins, and eventually the fight against the Japanese Yuki Sasaki at Bitetti Combat 6. Filho (18-1) explained in his interview to TATAME.com that the reason for his absence was actually the Bitteti management, and not the mysterious "personal problems":

“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. They (Sherdog.com) said I’m having problems with drugs and medicines… You can test me and you’ll see… I’m great.”

Paulo Filho was originally scheduled to fight the 22-16 veteran Yuki Sasaki, who later challenged Filho to fight him "in any time and any place, for free". Filho had a clear response for the Grabaka product:

“That’s the least he can do. 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 wants to get beat by me, ask for it. If someone pays what I deserve, it will be my pleasure to beat him up”.

Paulo "Paulao" Filho is a decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Juda Black Belt, who was ranked as a Top 10 Middleweight in the World not so long ago, is well-known for his habit not to show up for fights. Another example of that is his withdrawal from Dream 12 in October of the last year, when Filho was scheduled to fight the Judo legend Yoon Dong-Sik.