'Contractual obligations' prevent Wanderlei Silva from helping promote Bellator 131

It seems as though Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) castoff, Wanderlei Silva, will have to wait to join the MMA Motley Crew of Legends that Bellator appears determined to assemble on company president Scott Coker's diabolical watch.

That's because "Axe Murderer," who was scheduled to attend a Bellator 131 promotional event -- the Official Pre-Party Kick Off at Dave & Busters in San Diego, Calif., this Friday afternoon alongside retired UFC pioneers Royce Gracie, Randy Couture and Frank Shamrock -- has a contractual conflict.

What a shock!

Bellator MMA, less than 36 hours after announcing the Brazilian's inclusion, offered the following retraction via Twitter.com earlier this evening:

Due to prior contractual obligations, Wanderlei Silva will not be able to participate in #Bellator131's pre-promotion this week

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 11, 2014

Silva, 38, is still reeling from a lifetime ban from Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) (read full details here) in connection with a failed out-of-competition drug test. This after the Pride FC legend retired from the sport, claiming that UFC disrespected him and attempted to turn his fans against him rather than having his back.

It was ugly.

And his planned appearance at Bellator 131, which features a pair of high-profile UFC veterans, Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar, in the main event (see full fight card here) was likely seen as an opportunity for him to snub his nose at his former employer.

He'll clearly have to wait. Meanwhile, perhaps the quick kibosh will give Silva more time to plan a more well thought-out "long con" of his own.