Thiago Silva Officially Replaced for 'UFC 171' After Insane Gun Arrest
Thiago Silva is officially OFF THE BILL for "UFC 171" in March ... after allegedly threatening to kill his wife ... and he's been replaced by a Ukranian bad ass, TMZ Sports has learned.
After declaring Silva will never fight in the UFC ever again, Dana White tells TMZ Sports ... 21-year-old phenom Nikita Krylov will fill Silva's spot and fight Ovince St. Preux at UFC 171 in Dallas.
We're told Krylov -- a former heavyweight -- will drop down to the light heavyweight division for the fight.
White is stoked about the matchup, especially after the way Krylov -- who calls himself the Al Capone of MMA -- knocked out Walt Harris with a head kick just :25 seconds into the fight at "UFC on FOX 10."
Sorry Thiago ... but that's what happens when you threaten to shoot people with a gun (allegedly).
Thiago Silva's Next Opponent I'm Pissed We Can't Fight 'You Gotta Be F-ing Kidding Me'
The UFC fighter Thiago Silva would've faced next -- had he not been busted for allegedly pulling a gun on his wife -- tells TMZ Sports ... he's DEVASTATED the fight's scrapped saying "you gotta be f-ing kidding me."
Ovince St. Preux was set to square off against Silva at UFC 171 on March 15 ... but after the Brazilian fighter's insane meltdown, UFC prez Dana White permanently banned him from the Octagon.
St. Preux tells us he's bummed the match is cancelled ... but agrees with the ban, saying "I understand where Dana White is coming from, he has to protect the brand ... Plus, he's my boss."
As for why he thinks Thiago snapped ... St. Preux says "we don't know what he was going through" ... adding, "If he's having personal problems, anyone in his position might've done the same thing."
"Thiago took on the bad boy role ... and he played it well," St. Preux said, "I thought it was an act, but maybe he was being himself."
It's still unclear who -- if anyone -- Ovince will face at UFC 171 in Dallas.
Thiago Silva's Wife HE HAS A DRUG PROBLEM
Thiago Silva's wife Thaysa told law enforcement ... the UFC fighter has a "drug problem" ... and has abused her for months, this according to documents obtained by TMZ Sports.
We've obtained documents Thaysa filed in Florida back in January seeking a restraining order against Silva -- in which she checked a box saying he has a "drug problem."
In the docs, she also detailed an alleged violent incident with Thiago and says she fears for her well-being.
"I am not safe in my own house," Thaysa wrote ... adding, "I can not live more saying 'yes' and 'forgive' everything."
"I am very afraid of him."
In the documents, filed on January 6, Thaysa did not go into detail about Thago's alleged drug problem -- but she did say Thiago got violent with her while she was in a friend's home on Jan. 5th. In broken English, Thaysa seems to explain that Thiago went on a rampage and cut up her work uniform.
She also claims, "Months ago he grabbed me and pulled me."
The restraining order was granted. But last night, Thiago confronted Thaysa in front of a martial arts studio and allegedly threatened to shoot her and her supposed lover.
Silva was arrested for attempted murder -- but those charges were later reduced to aggravated assault.
UFC Star Thiago Silva Arrested for Attempted Murder Accused Wife of Affair, Shoved Gun in Her Mouth
8:21 AM PT -- The judge has THROWN OUT the attempted murder charges against Silva, claiming there isn't enough evidence to prove the UFC fighter ever intended to kill his wife, despite allegedly pulling a gun on her on multiple occasions and sending threatening text messages to her.
The judge explained, "It just seems if he wanted to shoot Mrs. Silva, he would've done it. He didn't do it."
Instead, Silva was hit with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm ... and the judge has decided to hold him in custody without bond.
Silva was not only deemed a flight risk, due to his connections in Brazil -- but the judge says there's a high risk he'll commit violence against his wife.
Thiago's lawyer had argued that his fighter was being unfairly judged because of his occupation as a UFC fighter -- saying, "There's an overreaction [with the charges] simply because the man, what he does for a living."
During the hearing, Silva's lawyer said the fighter is dead broke ... and desperately needs the paycheck he'll receive for his scheduled fight in Dallas at UFC 171.
However, UFC honcho Dana White tells TMZ Sports ... "This guy will never fight in the UFC again."
THE ALLEGATIONS -- Silva's wife told police Thiago went nuclear because he suspected his wife was having an affair with MMA instructor Pablo Popovitch, who runs a jiu-jitsu center in South Florida.
According to the police report, obtained by TMZ Sports, Thiago pulled up to Pablo's training center Thursday night ... pulled out a GLOCK and pointed it at his wife.
Thiago allegedly told his wife, "You have ten seconds to bring Pablo outside and if he does not come out, I will go in the gym and start shooting everyone."
Cops say the class was filled with 25 students at the time of the altercation.
Thiago's wife told cops Pablo raced out of the center to protect Silva's wife -- and that's when Thiago threatened to kill them both. Pablo then raced inside the gym to call 911. That's when Silva drove back to his home.
There's more ... cops say there was ANOTHER violent incident between Thiago and his wife on January 30 -- when he accused her of cheating on him.
Thiago's wife says he got so angry, he pulled out a silver revolver and shoved it into her mouth -- while threatening to shoot her. Thiago's wife eventually got free and obtained a restraining order against the UFC fighter.
THE ARREST -- UFC fighter Thiago Silva was arrested Thursday night for attempted murder following a standoff with a SWAT team after he allegedly threatened people at a jiu-jitsu school and barricaded himself inside his home -- and we have footage showing the moment he was finally captured.
Cops in Broward County, FL say the incident began just before 8 PM, when Silva went to the school owned by famed instructor Pablo Popovitch. Silva -- sporting blue board shorts -- allegedly threatened people there and then went back to his home.
According to police, Silva barricaded himself inside the home. The SWAT team arrived a short time later and surrounded the place as officials tried to get him to surrender. Silva finally gave himself up around 11:15 PM.
TMZ Sports has obtained video of Silva in the back of the cop car. The photog asked him if he pulled a gun on his wife. Silva responded no, adding, "She wants my house, she wants my money." And then he says, "Just don't report this. Can you do that for me?"
Once in the police station, Silva flipped off photogs as officers booked the fighter on 4 criminal charges -- 2 counts of attempted felony murder, one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one count of resisting arrest.
The 31-year-old Brazilian-born fighter is 16-3 in the UFC -- and was expected to fight at UFC 171 in March. We're guessing that ain't gonna happen now.
Jon 'Bones' Jones I Didn't Diss GSP It Was a Misunderstanding
UFC champ Jon 'Bones' Jones tells TMZ Sports ... he wasn't TRYING to duck Georges St-Pierre at a post-Super Bowl party in NYC last weekend ... it just seemed that way.
We shot the footage of the awkward encounter Sunday night when it appeared Jones was trying to get into the party without St-Pierre noticing -- when GSP noticed, hilarity ensued.
But Tuesday in D.C., Jones says he wasn't trying to diss his old friend -- and he has a perfectly good explanation.
In fact, Jones says the two have a long history of partying together.
Jones tries to blame us for stirring things up -- but hey, we just call 'em like we see 'em.
Jon Jones & GSP BIZARRE ENCOUNTER At Super Bowl Party
Was Jon "Bones" Jones trying to DUCK Georges St-Pierre at the Super Bowl post-game bash in NYC last night??? Because it sure as hell looked that way in this clip.
It all went down outside Marquee nightclub ... GSP has no idea he's standing 3 ft. away from his fellow UFC superstar until our camera guy points him out.
What ensues is awkward, funny and confusing ... all at the same time.
It seems "Bones" was trying to signal our photog NOT to alert St-Pierre to his presence ... but our guy didn't get the hint and gave JJ up.
Ya gotta watch the clip -- either way, it's pretty hilarious ... and "Bones" deserves an Oscar.
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Dana White Brock Lesnar Wants to Fight in the UFC Again
UFC prez Dana White tells TMZ Sports ... Brock Lesnar wants to RETURN to the Octogon ... and White says he'd LOVE to have him back.
Dana was in NYC today getting ready for UFC's Super Saturday ... and told us Brock's still bummed his fighting career ended short due to injury ... and says "he'd like to take another run" in the UFC.
The former UFC heavyweight champ left the world of MMA in 2011 ... after a string of losses that he chalked up to his battle with a potentially life threatening case of diverticulitis (a digestive disease).
Lesnar recently returned to the WWE ... but White says that doesn't mean UFC is off the table -- "I think he wants to do both. When his schedule opens up I think he'd like to fight."
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UFC Badass Mark Munoz I Do Zumba ... And I LOOOVE It!
Your mom's Zumba class just got HARDCORE ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned, UFC face-smasher Mark Munoz is taking up dancercise -- and we dare you to crack a joke (at least to his face).
Munoz -- who's currently ranked #7 in UFC middleweights -- hit up the LA Fit Expo on Saturday ... where he fulfilled his New Year's Resolution of (that's right) learning Zumba.
And guess what -- Mark says he loved the class so much ... he's actually considering using some of the moves in his regular MMA workout routine.
Check out the clip ... once you see the girls in this class, it'll all start making sense.
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UFC Legend Ken Shamrock I'm a Bodyguard Now ... For 50 Cent!!
50 Cent has SERIOUSLY upgraded his personal security team ... 'cause one of the guys watching his back is UFC Hall of Famer (and ex-WWE superstar) Ken Shamrock!!!!
49-year-old Shamrock was spotted on the rapper's personal protection detail at the CES convection in Las Vegas yesterday ... and afterward, Ken confirmed he's now working for a company that does private security for several "high-end clients," including Fiddy.
After the convention, Ken tweeted that it was a "pleasure" working for 50 ... and said the rapper is, "By far one of the classiest gents I have ever worked with."
As for Ken's fighting career -- he may not have given up on the ring entirely ... just last month, he appeared in a wrestling event in Costa Rica.
But for now, don't screw with Mr. Cent ... or you might end up in a nasty ankle lock.
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UFC 168 Winners Celebrate ... WITH JUNK FOOD
Hours after retaining his championship belt and possibly ending Anderson Silva's career ... UFC Middleweight champ Chris Weidman continued his campaign of destruction -- by decimating a double bacon cheeseburger.
Weidman partied at Surrender nightclub -- washing down his burger with a cold Miller Lite.
UFC's other big winner Ronda Rousey also feasted in celebration ... she went with family and friends to Wolfgang Puck's restaurant at the MGM for her usual post fight chicken wings.
America!
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Georges St-Pierre TOOK HUGE HIT FROM EX-MANAGER Paid Out $737k After Nasty Split
Georges St-Pierre cut a $737k check to his former manager -- after the woman sued the UFC champ for screwing her out of her contract ... and according to court docs, she could still be in line for a MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR payday.
TMZ Sports has obtained documents filed in Clark County, NV which show GSP was sued by ex-manager Shari Spencer after the two parted ways in 2011.
According to another manager who worked with GSP, Georges' relationship with Shari ended "very badly."
Shari clearly felt she helped build GSP's career and therefore deserved a cut of his fight earnings and sponsorship cash.
The court docs show ... the judge agreed with Shari and ordered GSP to cut a check for $737,066.35 -- which the fighter paid back in April.
But there's more ... the judge also ordered GSP to pay Shari's management company the following:
-- 20% of future revenue on various UFC Pay-Per-View fights
-- 20% of royalties earned under a 2008 UFC merchandising contract
-- 5% of future revenues from sponsorships she apparently helped him earn (including Affliction and RUSHFit).
A source familiar with the case tells us ... Shari's final cut could be worth several million dollars.
GSP's had a rough year -- as we first reported, the UFC champ is already stressing out over his sick father and an unplanned pregnancy.
We reached out to GSP's camp for comment -- so far, no word back.
Rampage Jackson GUCCI PAINT JOB ... On Bedroom Door!
Jackson has been away from home at a remote training facility to prepare for his upcoming Bellator fight against Tito Ortiz ... and he figured the trip was the perfect time to spruce up his pad.
First order of business ... turn my bedroom door into a Gucci shrine!!!
We'd say it looks lame ... but Rampage is really strong.
So, cool door dude!
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UFC Champ Partying It Up With a Busted Face
UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez didn't let a busted face stop him from celebrating his victory last night -- the guy partied hard, bandages and all.
Cain and his crew hit up a club called The Mark in Houston, TX following Cain's epic win over top contender Junior Dos Santos at UFC 166 -- and despite the injuries, Cain kept a smile on his face.
In case you missed it, it was an awesome match. Velasquez eventually won out with a brutal TKO in the 5th round, but not without taking some damage himself.
Worth it.
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UFC Fighter I'm Bringing My Lucky Underwear
UFC newbie Andre "Touchy" Fili has a secret weapon for his debut fight tonight -- stained, old green underwear ... and the fighter is pretty confident it'll give him an edge.
Fili knows the underwear might turn some people off ... however Touchy's convinced they'll bring him luck -- since he wore them during his most intense amateur fights.
Sadly, Fili won't actually be wearing the crusty briefs -- they're too long for his new gear ... but Andre says they will hold down the fort in his hotel room during 166.
As for the drizzle stains ... he's had 'em a long time.
Give the guy a break.
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Ex-UFC Star Rousimar Palhares We Don't Want Him Either ... Says Bellator CEO
In case you missed it ... Palhares was axed less than 24 hours after his Wednesday night fight against Mike Pierce at Fight Night 29 in Brazil -- where R.P. held onto an ankle lock way after the bell rang, for the second time in his UFC career.
Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney says he's not interested because, "Risks already exist for the courageous, world class fighters who enter the Bellator cage; without adding further unnecessary risks into the mix."
Sucks for Rousimar -- since a handful of former UFC stars have made the switch to Bellator like Rampage Jackson and Tito Ortiz ... who fight on Pay-Per-View later this month.
Bjorn adds, "Fighter safety is paramount to me and my team."
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UFC Fighter Strip Club Session With NFL Hall of Famer
McGregor tweeted photos of he and "Nasty" Willie Roaf hitting up The Library Thursday night in Las Vegas ... and the no-touching policy obviously wasn't in effect.
Fun Fact: Willie's mom was the first black woman to serve on the Arkansas Supreme Court ... and his sister is an Episcopal Priest.
As for Conor, we just hope he washed his hands.