Report: Anderson Silva Fined $50,000 For Skipping UFC 162 Media Obligations

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has been fined $50,000 for skipping UFC 162 media obligations.

Silva was scheduled to meet with several media outlets – including newspapers, websites, and television and radio stations – on Tuesday, according to a USA Today Sports report. He instead passed on the meeting and instead flew home to Brazil.

“We had a full media day set up for him in Los Angeles, and he just decided he didn’t want to do it,” UFC president Dana White told USA Today Sports. “So he’s being fined $50,000.”

The media event was planned to help publicize UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman with tickets going on-sale this Friday.

His opponent, Chris Weidman, has similar media obligations on Wednesday.

Although Nick Diaz was removed from the UFC 137 main event bout with Georges St-Pierre for missing media obligations, White told USA Today Sports that he didn’t anticipate taking similar action against Silva.

“Nick Diaz didn’t show up for the press conference,” White said. “This was just a smaller media day, but it’s still not acceptable, so we’re fining him $50,000.”

UFC 162 is slated for July 6 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Ed Soares, Silva’s manager, declined to comment on the situation when contacted by MMAWeekly.com.