LEGENDARY fighter Anderson Silva has blasted the UFC's decision to prevent Georges St-Pierre from boxing.
St-Pierre, a two-division UFC champ, was offered a lucrative deal to take on Oscar De La Hoya in his comeback bout.
Ryan Kavanaugh, chief of Triller Fight Club promotions, revealed UFC president Dana White blocked St-Pierre's move into boxing.
White claimed that the 40-year-old is still under contract with the UFC despite last stepping inside the Octagon in 2017.
On the other hand, Brazilian hero Silva makes his boxing debut to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on June 19.
Silva, 46, is regarded as one of the best UFC fighters of all-time and holds the record for the longest title reign in history at 2,457 days.
Speaking to MMA Junkie at a Los Angeles media day, Silva said: "I think it doesn’t make sense, especially because Georges did a lot for the sport, especially for UFC.
"Why you hold the guy? This makes no sense.
“Georges is a fighter. You can’t hold a fighter.
"It’s the same if you take the lion in the jungle and put him inside a cage. The lion is going to die. You can’t do that. Nobody can do that.
"This makes no sense. This is terrible, terrible – completely terrible.”
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Silva was released from his UFC contract in October after defeat against Uriah Hall.
He was allowed to pursue other ventures and penned a deal to fight the former WBC Middleweight Champion of the world Chavez Jr in Mexico.
Silva looked in terrific shape ahead as he trained ahead of his boxing debut and added of his upcoming bout: "When I look back at my journey, I see that nothing has been in vain!
"I am extremely happy for the opportunity to test my boxing skills with Julio César Chávez Jr.
"I train continuously, always am striving for resilience and to overcome obstacles. Fighting is my everlasting breath."
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