UFC Brazil head reveals resignation due to treatment of Brazilian fighters

While the new UFC owners, WME-IMG, have continued to fire countless UFC employees across the globe, including several top-ranked UFC executives, UFC Brazil Senior Vice President and General Manager, Giovani Decker, has officially announced why he was quick to part ways with the promotion nearly a month ago.

Decker took to social media to explain his reasons behind parting ways with the promotion:

“Today, I officialize the rumors that were ‘leaked’ in the media on Sept. 30 that I’m no longer in charge of the UFC in Brazil,” Decker wrote in his native Portuguese. “The reasons are many, but I’ll cite as the main ones the lack of autonomy to perform a job well done and the latest decisions involving Brazilian fighters about to fight for belts.”

“I really appreciate the opportunity given to me by the UFC,” Decker wrote. “I had an incredible 18 months as head of the promotion in the country, where, among other accomplishments, I had the opportunity and the pleasure to lead UFC 198, the biggest MMA event in the history of Brazil, with 15,000 people at the weigh-ins and over 45,000 people at the event, the third biggest in the history of the UFC. I thank the athletes who always had a special kindness toward me, understanding I was there to help them, to guide them. Know that I’ve learned a lot from all of you!

“To the UFC fans, my thank you for the positive energy toward me and my work. I will cherish every one of these moments as one-of-a-kind in my life! Know that MMA has got a fan, a practitioner (though quite clumsy, it’s true) who will always be rooting for this sport, for the UFC, for the fighters in general and for the Brazilian fighters in particular.”

Queridos : hoje oficializo os rumores da informação " vazada " na mídia em 30/09/2016 de minha saída do comando do UFC no Brasil. Os motivos são muitos , mas citarei como principais a falta de autonomia para fazer meu trabalho bem feito , e as últimas decisões envolvendo lutadores brasileiros em vias de disputa de Cinturão . Agradeço muito a oportunidade a mim dada pelo UFC , foram incríveis 18 meses à frente da organização no país , onde entre várias realizações , tive a oportunidade e prazer de liderar o UFC 198 , o maior evento de MMA da história do Brasil , com 15 mil pessoas na pesagem e mais de 45 mil pessoas no evento , o terceiro maior da história do UFC. Agradeço muito aos atletas que sempre tiveram um carinho especial comigo , entendendo que eu estava lá para ajudá-los e orientá-los …saibam todos vcs que fui eu que aprendi demais com todos vcs ! Aos fãs do UFC meu muito obrigado pela energia sempre positiva ao meu trabalho e a minha pessoa … guardarei cada momento destes como únicos na minha vida ! Saibam todos que o MMA ganhou um fã , um praticante ( bem desajeitado é verdade , kkkk ) e que estará sempre torcendo para este esporte , para o UFC , para os lutadores em geral e para os lutadores brasileiros em especial ! TMJ SEMPRE ! Osss #MMAMEUESPORTEPARASEMPRE #MUITOOBRIGADO

A photo posted by Giovani Decker (@giovanidecker) on Oct 28, 2016 at 3:30pm PDT

Decker’s is likely referencing the UFC’s ongoing dispute with interim featherweight champion Jose Aldo, whose ongoing dispute with the promotion resulted in the former featherweight kingpin requesting his release from the promotion. Recently, Aldo met with the UFC brass for a meeting that was described as being productive. However, with that being said, Aldo has remained adamant that he is past fighting, and is ready to move on to a different sport.