MMA Weekly is reporting, with direct quotes from the UFC/Pride stalwart himself, that Alexander Gustafsson is officially out of this weekend’s main event. In his place will be Wanderlei Silva, who’ll be doing the UFC a solid by taking the fight on short notice. From MMA Weekly:
“Just finish talk to Rafael Cordeiro (Silva’s longtime friend and coach),” Silva told MMAWeekly.com via text message. “He gonna come tomorrow to Vegas. I take the fight.”
Earlier, Silva, tweeted in broken English about stepping into the fight, but it was unclear if he was saying he’d been offered the fight with Mousasi or if he was saying he would be a replacement.
It appears he’s been contacted by the UFC and has accepted the fight with Mousasi.
Pressed further for clarification, Silva was asked if his original text meant he would be a back-up opponent if Gustafsson failed to gain medical clearance, or if Silva believed he would be the one fighting Mousasi on Saturday.
“I gonna fight Mousasi on Saturday,” Silva responded.
