Filho Withdraws From WEC Bout

by Robert Sargent

After a week of bizarre statements and occurrences, Paulo Filho has officially withdrawn from his upcoming WEC Middleweight title defence against Chael Sonnen, and has checked into a facility to treat his ongoing clinical depression.

The March 26th rematch with Sonnen has now been postponed until June, pending Filho's treatment and health.

"We tried our best with Filho, but it didn't work and he will not fight in the WEC," Filho's manager, Jorge Guimaraes, said. "He tried with all of his effort to accomplish the title defence, but he realised he couldn't do it due to chemical dependence and depression. He knew this kind of stuff does not have a link with the sport, and I'm happy he had a conscience and looked for help."

Filho had disappeared from his training for two days, leading to worry amongst his training partners and manager. He checked himself into a rehabilitation centre in Niteroi, Brazil.

He had been the target of recent criticisms, following his first fight with Sonnen last December, after being completely dominated by Sonnen for their entire fight, and winning by controversial armbar when the referee ruled that Sonnen had verbally submitted. Filho has not looked anything like his dominant self from his time in PRIDE, leading many to question whether he was really deserving of being thought of as a top-3 middleweight in the world.

Guimaraes was not certain how long Filho would remain in the clinic, but stated that Filho would leave when he felt that he was 100 percent. He said that Filho was beginning to feel better, following the first 48 hours of treatment. He declined to identify the source of Filho's chemical dependence.

"The WEC staff was superb with us," Guimaraes added. "They understood the situation, and Filho will return and defend his belt in June. Filho also realised who his real friends are, and he took this lesson seriously. He'll come back victorious from this tough moment, and he will be supported, as mentioned, by his real friends."


This is merely the latest step in a series of recent incidents which are plaguing Filho's career. For his sake, this will hopefully be the end of it. He will face Sonnen in June.