Brian Stann on Facing Santiago Instead of Silva: 'I Got a Better Fight'

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse Exclusive, News

Brian Stann said he wanted to fight Wanderlei Silva after his win over Chris Leben at UFC 125.

The UFC liked that idea and booked the fight for UFC 130 in May.

One problem: Silva didn't want to take the fight.

Whether it was because Silva had still not healed up from knee surgery or didn't want to fight Stann because, as he tweeted, "I respect so much ... army guys," remains unclear. What we do know is Stann (10-3) is now fighting Jorge Santiago (23-8) at UFC 130, while Silva got his original wish of fighting Leben at UFC 132.

"I buy his reason because I don't see Wanderlei ever having to lie to anybody about anything," Stann said when asked on Monday's episode of The MMA Hour if he believed Silva didn't want to fight simply because he didn't want to get booed. "He's got nothing to prove for the rest of his life, as far as I'm concerned, especially in this sport.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/04/17/brian-stann-on-facing-santiago-instead-of-silva-i-got-a-better/

Andres Iniesta Andriy Shevchenko Andy Murray Andy Roddick Anthony Kim