MMAConvert.com

No surprises here. Following an abysmal performance against Chael Sonnen at WEC 36, Paulo Filho has been released from his Zuffa contract. Dave Meltzer was the first to report the possibility in this week’s edition on The Wrestling Observer.

Cage Potato, however, was able to confirm the news with Filho’s manager, Ed Soares, earlier today.

“It’s true. We’ve received paperwork that they’re releasing him from his contract. The WEC’s been great throughout everything, but it’s understandable. He’s had a rough year. We have faith that he’ll be back. I still believe he’s one of the best middleweights in the world.”

I’m not going to lie, when I was watching his last fight, I got pretty fired about what I was watching unfold, or better yet not unfold, in front of my eyes. After cooling off though and taking his personal problems into consideration, I’ve been a little more understanding. I hope Filho takes this time to deal with whatever problems he has and worries about fighting again after that. I’m sure if Filho overcomes his demons and comes back better than ever, Zuffa will likely take him back with open arms. After all, he wasn’t widely regarded as the second best middleweight in the world for nothing.

The FSBC has released the fighter payouts for WEC 36. Keep in mind, these figures represent the base contracted pay the fighter receives from the promotion. These figures do not include any additional “locker room” bonuses or sponsorship money, which in many cases exceeds a fighter’s base pay. These numbers also do not account for taxes, insurance, and license fees.

(Note: Sonnen is now the slight favorite over Filho after yesterday’s weigh-ins)

More WEC 36 photos at CombatLifestyle.com

The WEC 36 weigh-ins took place today at The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

It appears there were a few fighters—Mike Brown, Paulo Filho, and Rani Yahya—that missed weight today. Brown and Filho have been given two hours to cut to the proper weight. Brown only has half a pound to cut so there shouldn’t be a problem there, however, Filho missed weight by a full seven pounds. Chances are he won’t make weight, so it’s likely that the belt won’t be on the line, although in the grand scheme of things, at least as far as the title is concerned, it doesn’t matter too much since it’s being abolished in 2009 anyways. Yoshiro Maeda has agreed to fight Yahya at 137lbs. We’ll keep you updated on the other two.

The weigh-in results via WEC.tv:

• Mike Brown (145*) vs Urijah Faber (144.5)
• Chael Sonnen (184.5) vs Paulo Filho (189*)
• Leonard Garcia (145.5) vs Jens Pulver (144)
• Nissen Osterneck (184.5) vs Jake Rosholt (185.5)
• Donald Cerrone (156) vs Rob McCullough (155.5)
• Steve Steinbeiss (202) vs Carmelo Marrero (206)
• Rani Yahya (137*) vs Yoshiro Maeda (135)
• Aaron Simpson (184.5) vs David Avellan (185)
• Jonathan Brookins (146) vs Jose Aldo (146)
• Rafael Dias (155) vs Danny Castillo (156)

Fighters in non-title fights are allowed to weigh in one pound over the weight class limit.

Update: On Filho’s second attempt, he weighed in at 189lbs. The fight will now be a three round non-title fight, and Filho will forfeit 25% of his purse to Chael Sonnen. Mike Brown made weight on his second attempt.

WEC 36 will take place tomorrow, Nov. 5, at The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida and will air live on Versus at 8PM ET/5PM PT.

Despite numerous postponements and delays, Chael Sonnen will finally get his rematch against Paulo Filho at WEC 36 this Wednesday night, Nov. 5, live on Versus.

CR: Sherdog.com