Thiago Alves defends decision to pull out vs. Perry
Thiago Alves: “This was my first hurricane as a husband and father. The safety of my family it’s my duty and they will always come first!”
‘Platinum’ Mike Perry was not impressed when Thiago Alves pulled out of their fight just days before Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 116 in Pittsburg, citing Hurrican
I came from Florida, we got more f***ed up than he did,” said Perry. “There are so many people here from South Florida. I was just talking to Michael Johnson. [Alves’] coaches from ATT down there, are here today. They flew up yesterday when he was supposed to. He is feeding y’all bulls***.
Alves defended the decision on his social network.
“This was my first hurricane as a husband and father,” he began. “The safety of my family it’s my duty and they will always come first! Still, I did make every attempt suggested by the UFC Travel Team to get to Pittsburgh besides taking a ‘Road Trip’ with my wife and my 13 months son when the whole state of FL was evacuating. All my flights continued to get canceled from Friday am all the way to Tuesday 11 pm. After spending 6 hours at the airport with no real idea when I would make to the fight, having no electricity, sleeping in the gym with my family, and dealing with my dog dying from heat exhaustion… I decided to stay with my family and rebuild.
“I will never apologize for that, it’s not in my nature. I have too much love and respect for my Sport, Family, Team and the MMA Fans to go to war not being 100% ready. Me and the UFC are in great terms, they understand my decision. I’ve been with the company for 12 years. I’ve known Sean Shelby for a very long time and he knows I always come to fight.
“I trained for 16 weeks because this fight was originally happening in August. If I don’t fight I don’t get paid, so nobody suffers but Me and My Family. I’m ready and will stay ready. I should be rebooked by December. My support to everyone that went through Hurricane Irma. My thoughts and prays are with you #RipTanky.”
The night worked out well for Perry, who won a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus knee knocking out late replacement Alex Reyes in 79 seconds.
