The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced back in December that fighters would soon be stripped of the right to wear sponsors of their own choosing during UFC related activities, and instead be required to front brand new Reebok gear following the promotion’s exclusive uniform deal with the well known clothing brand.
While the UFC claim that all fighters will benefit from the exclusive sponsorship deal, a number of fans and fighters alike remain skeptical with a number of contenders already feeling the strain of sponsors having to back away. The UFC’s new uniform policy is set to begin at the start of July.
Most would accept that, if any, the big name fighters would most likely benefit without any issues; however, former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva dropped a bombshell in a recent interview with Terra.com.br, and stated that he has no plans to endorse Reebok as it would be a ‘lie’. According to ‘The Spider’, the Silva household wears Nike or Adidas, and he intends to remain loyal to the brands of which he identifies with.
Via BloodyElbow.com:
“I don’t like this idea. When you use a brand, it has to be passed something true, it has to exist a connection. I have no identity with Reebok. I have always used Nike, even before our sponsor deal. I’m not stop wearing because the contract ended. There is no point making me use something with no relation with me. I’m not wearing because there is no true on this. I can’t pass to my fans something that is a lie. I have always ordered my uniforms to be made and I’ll may still wear them. I have not signed a new contract with Nike after the end of my last deal, but I use a brand because I’ve always did. Not only me but all my family, we just wear Nike or Adidas.”
Having suffered a horrific leg break during his contest with middleweight champion Chris Weidman in late 2013, the 39-year-old MMA great returns to action this weekend at UFC 183 in Las Vegas when Silva (33-6) takes on former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz (26-9-1NC) in the main event of the evening.
Photo by Mark Blundell
