UFC 133: Lyoto Machida confirms he asked for 'Anderson Silva money' because ...

... it costs a lot of money to uproot yourself, your management and the people you train with to fly to the United States "immediately" as per UFC President Dana White's request.

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida needs to get paid "Anderson Silva money" if he's going to fight a former champion on just three weeks notice.

He won't and as a result, "The Dragon" turned down the opportunity to fill in for an injured Phil Davis and fight Rashad Evans in the main event of UFC 133 on August 6 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As you can imagine, this went over like a lead balloon in the bowels of the UFC headquarters, prompting White to fire back at the Brazilian and tell him to "accomplish what Anderson Silva has and you will be paid like him."

Machida defends his position to Sherdog.com:

"My manager, ‘Joinha' [Jorge Guimaraes], called me and I said at first that I was excited to be in the lineup. But, after meeting with my team, we saw that it wouldn't be a good idea, especially because Dana White wanted me to travel to the U.S. immediately to have my training camp there. Many of the members of my corner don't have visas right now. Then, I said, ‘If you want me to fight, pay me as a champion. Pay me like you pay Anderson Silva.' A man approaches you wanting to buy your house, but you don't want to sell it. So then, you ask for a higher price. You want it? Then pay what I'm asking. I can't put my career at risk with a bad showing. I think I'd have more to lose than to win in that fight. I have a name in the company. I don't fight without being prepared, even when I lose. I can't step in and take the chance of having a bad fight. Today, you have to be extremely prepared."

Prepared ... and paid.

Fortunately for fight fans, former division champion Tito Ortiz, who initially declined a rematch against Evans on such short notice, eventually changed his mind and agreed to fill in for "Mr. Wonderful" in "The City of Brotherly Love."

And he didn't ask for "Chuck Liddell money" to do it.

Of course there is more to win than just the fight. A good showing, even in defeat, can continue the rebirth of Tito's career, which started with a first round submission victory over Ryan Bader at UFC 132 back on July 2.

A win in Philly gets him back into the title hunt.

That's a chance Machida wasn't willing to take without the proper compensation, no matter what the ramifications may be as it pertains to future matchmaking.

Nothing personal, just business.