Four high profile fighters from American Top Team have decided to part
ways with the Florida based training camp and are now working out
independently for their next fights.
Danillo Villefort first broke the news when he spoke in an interview on
MMAWeekly Radio prior to his next fight at Shark 14 against Matt
Horwich. When asked if he was still training at American Top Team
Villefort answered, “No. Now I’m just working out with JZ (Cavalcante),
Jorge (Santiago), and my brother Yuri (Villefort).”
Sources have indicated that one of the main causes of the split was
contract issues between the gym and the fighters, but beyond that there
has been no specific claim as to why the fighters left American Top
Team.
Reps form American Top Team did indeed post on the Underground Forum,
explaining that the fighters left the gym on their own accord and were
not kicked out, as some rumors had started to circulate.
“Just saw the thread about JZ, Jorge and the Villefort brothers
leaving ATT and the questions that arose. To be clear, these four made
the decision to leave ATT. They were not asked to leave. They requested a
meeting with team management, advised that they wanted to train
elsewhere, and requested that ATT release them from their agreements. We
accommodated their request. Any rumors regarding them being kicked off
of the team are untrue. We wish them the best of luck in the future.”
All four fighters had been training at ATT for several years, and their
departure is in addition to the departure of Strikeforce Heavyweight
Antonio Silva, who left the gym about a year ago.
While Villefort continues to prepare for his upcoming bout at Shark 14
Jorge Santiago is preparing to make his UFC return against the very
dangerous Brian Stann on May 28th at UFC 130. Neither Yuri Villefort or
JZ Cavalcante have scheduled bouts for their next fights.
Villefort did explain that the four would continue to train together in
Florida for the time being, but it is unclear as to where the four will
end up training in the long run.
Although we are unsure as to the exact nature of why the four split with
American Top Team, one thing is always certain: Business is Business.
And when business and pleasure are mixed sometimes things can get ugly.
We wish all four fighters the best in their next move.
ways with the Florida based training camp and are now working out
independently for their next fights.
Danillo Villefort first broke the news when he spoke in an interview on
MMAWeekly Radio prior to his next fight at Shark 14 against Matt
Horwich. When asked if he was still training at American Top Team
Villefort answered, “No. Now I’m just working out with JZ (Cavalcante),
Jorge (Santiago), and my brother Yuri (Villefort).”
Sources have indicated that one of the main causes of the split was
contract issues between the gym and the fighters, but beyond that there
has been no specific claim as to why the fighters left American Top
Team.
Reps form American Top Team did indeed post on the Underground Forum,
explaining that the fighters left the gym on their own accord and were
not kicked out, as some rumors had started to circulate.
“Just saw the thread about JZ, Jorge and the Villefort brothers
leaving ATT and the questions that arose. To be clear, these four made
the decision to leave ATT. They were not asked to leave. They requested a
meeting with team management, advised that they wanted to train
elsewhere, and requested that ATT release them from their agreements. We
accommodated their request. Any rumors regarding them being kicked off
of the team are untrue. We wish them the best of luck in the future.”
All four fighters had been training at ATT for several years, and their
departure is in addition to the departure of Strikeforce Heavyweight
Antonio Silva, who left the gym about a year ago.
While Villefort continues to prepare for his upcoming bout at Shark 14
Jorge Santiago is preparing to make his UFC return against the very
dangerous Brian Stann on May 28th at UFC 130. Neither Yuri Villefort or
JZ Cavalcante have scheduled bouts for their next fights.
Villefort did explain that the four would continue to train together in
Florida for the time being, but it is unclear as to where the four will
end up training in the long run.
Although we are unsure as to the exact nature of why the four split with
American Top Team, one thing is always certain: Business is Business.
And when business and pleasure are mixed sometimes things can get ugly.
We wish all four fighters the best in their next move.
