Abdelaziz Defends Joe Silva From ‘Cowardly’ Fighters

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Be like Mike? Nah, be like Ali!

Retired UFC matchmaker Joe Silva has found himself the target of disgruntled fighters, who took exception to the way they were treated before, during, and after fight negotiations. Chief among them is former lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez.

Just another trash-talking coward, according to rival manager Ali Abdelaziz.

“I think it’s very cowardly when a man is no longer with the company and people come out and talk (expletive) about him,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “The thing is, if you have a problem with Joe Silva, that’s fine. Why didn’t you go public when he was there? Why didn’t you do it? Sean Shelby, too. I talk (expletive) to Sean Shelby all the time. I say it in his face, and he talks (expletive) to me, too. I am man enough to go to him.”

Every negotiation in history across every industry since the dawn of currency can be summed up rather easily. The seller wants to make the most money possible while the buyer wants to pay the least amount possible.

A broker, if one exists, just wants to close the deal and earn a percentage.

Former UFC lightweight title contender Gray Maynard, who competed against Frankie Edgar back when “The Answer” was finding success at 155 pounds, had a lengthy conversation on Twitter about his mistreatment in UFC (sample here).

Abdelaziz believes the blame falls on Maynard’s manager.

“It’s Joe’s job to get a fighter for the least amount of money,” the former WSOF matchmaker said. “Whoever Gray’s manager at the time was (expletive) sucked. He should not be managed by him. Gray Maynard is a legend, but also, too, I don’t think it was Joe’s fault. It was whoever managed Gray’s fault – whoever guided Gray. Gray is one of the most exciting fighters we’ve seen. I love Gray, and he’s one of my friends, but I also see a lot of guys talking (expletive). The problem is, why didn’t you talk (expletive) to him when he was still there? That’s the question.”

It should be noted that Abdelaziz manages Edgar, Maynard’s longtime rival.

The debate over fighter pay has once again heated up, with top stars like Jon Jones and Jorge Masvidal going public with their grievances. Unfortunately for the athletes, UFC is a brand, not a sport, so they’re unlikely to see any major changes anytime soon.

Silva, meanwhile, has refused to comment.