A series of leading MMA promotions have released statements declining to sign free agent Anderson Silva, after he was released from his contract by the UFC, over league president Dana White’s concern that at age 45, with just one win in the last eight years, it was the right time for the MMA GOAT contender to retire. However, during a recent interview with James Lynch for FanaticsView.com, former Silva foe Chael Sonnen argued that promoters shouldn’t talk about Silva until he asks.

That was a scummy move, by the way, said Sonnen. That was a real slimy move from a lot of those promotions. First off, they weren’t asked the question, so they took a shot at a guy who they would’ve loved to have at a period of time [but] who didn’t want to come over there, made a decision, hung his hat somewhere else, and are now looking to get some cheap heat, make themselves look like they’re above Anderson by refusing a guy who hasn’t even offered his services. It was a little bit of a slimy move, not to mention it was cold-hearted. To say you don’t want a guy, it’s just a mean thing to do.

In defense of the promoters, they were asked the question by journalists, and replied. Further, Sonnen doesn’t believe Silva will compete in MMA again.

I don’t think we’ll see him fight again, because I think those promotions are telling the truth, said Chael P. I think there’s a much better way to go about it than the way that he went about it. I don’t think you should come out and just offer your services somewhere. I think that you should have a finished product. He should have found a very specific opponent, taken it to the audience first to make sure the audience wanted it, then added some flames to it, and then dropped it in a promoter’s lap.

UG, if Anderson Silva were to follow Sonnen’s advice, what fight should he float, and if fans react positively, hand to a promoter? Silva vs. GSP? Silva vs. Roy Jones Jr? Silva vs. Chael Sonnen trilogy?

h/t Jed Meshew for MMA Fighting