WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Filho -- who has battled depression and other personal demons in recent past -- today weighed in seven pounds over the 185-pound division limit for his title rematch against Chael Sonnen, which is scheduled to co headline WEC 36: "Faber vs. Brown" at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., on November 5.
The Brazilian was given two hours to shed the extra baggage. Unfortunately, on his second attempt Filho tipped the scales at 189 pounds -- still four pounds too much.
As a result, the promotion made the decision to go one with the bout; however, it will be contested as a three-round nontitle fight rather than a five rounder with championship gold on the line. He will also likely have to forfeit a percentage of his purse to Sonnen.
This is a horrible development, considering all the hype and controversy that surrounded this showdown.
It was back in December 2007 when the first clash was stopped by the referee after Sonnen was caught in a tight armbar. He yelped, but didn't tap. And a rematch was ordered shortly therafter to settle once and for all with no reservations who the best man was ... or so we thought.
We're now almost one year removed from that night in Las Vegas, Nevada, and we will be nowhere closer to getting the grudge match expected tomorrow night.
Perhaps the only silver lining in all of this is that the middleweight belt would have been dissolved after the bout because the WEC is abolishing the 185 and 205-pound divisions as of January 1, 2009.
Small consolation.
(Thanks as always to Tracy Lee of CombatLifestyle.com for the pics. See more right here.)
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