For two or three years now, he has said he is the best and he can beat this fighter, and he can beat that fighter and he can beat Vanderlei and all this crap. I have on several ocassions came on here in his defence.
Now, he has the perfect opportunity to PROVE it and just decides to "pass" on the whole thing?
WTF?
I mean, it's only the biggest (and richest) and will be the greatest middleweight tournament in MMA history, that's all.
Maybe he doesn't want to get stuck fighting Silva for the second fight of the night like Rampage had to in their first fight. I don't blame him for that.
Probably a combination of ADCC fight coming up, not wanting to "waste" his shot at Silva in a tournament format, and wanted to give Rogerio and possibly Filho a shot at becoming stars.
I'm sure if he were willing and able, Pride would have used him in the GP.
I think rollitup has it right. I think he wants a shot at Vanderlei without having to fight in the tournament. I don't agree that he should have that right, but he definitely believes he should.
"I keep hearing it is because of his commitment to the ADCC superfight, but correct me if I am wrong, isn't the fight supposed to be against Dean Lister, who actually has a chance to be in the GP. "