Anderson Silva says he didn't know about media day that cost him $50k

UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva said he would have never flown to his home country of Brazil had he known he was due in Los Angeles for press obligations.

A day after being docked $50,000 by his promoter, Silva told Brazilian media outlet Veja that he didn’t know about a media day scheduled for him until he was on his way to the airport.

“I’ve never missed any commitment to the UFC,” he said.

Yet Silva said his training ultimately takes precedence over the public relations aspect of his job.

“Everyone knows that I always block my media schedule to devote myself to training, since that’s my main priority,” he said. “I’m an athlete, and my focus will always be to train and be prepared for the challenges.”

Currently, Silva (33-4 MMA, 16-0 UFC) is preparing for his next challenge, which takes place July 6 at MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas. He attempts the 11th defense of his title in a bout against unbeaten contender Chris Weidman (9-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC).

Late this past month at UFC 159, UFC President Dana White, who first passed word of Silva’s fine along to USA Today/MMAjunkie.com, sounded optimistic about Silva. He said it was his understanding that a long-rumored 10-fight contract had been signed, though he later clarified it hadn’t. He also passed word along that Silva had requested a superfight, presumably against light-heavyweight champ Jon Jones, who emphatically beat Chael Sonnen in the April 27 event’s headliner, following his bout with Weidman.

The recent news put a damper on that glow.

“He doesn’t like talking to the media, but it’s part of his contractual obligation,” White said. “Everybody wants more money, more money, more money, but nobody wants to sell the fight or go out and talk to the media. Talking to the media is part of your job, whether you like it or not.”

Asked whether the champ might return to the U.S. for some makeup PR prior to the fight, Silva manager Ed Soares declined comment.

For the latest on UFC 162, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.