PFL executive explains silence on case of Brazilian fighter hospitalized for over a month due to weight loss

Daiane Silva is undefeated in her career with 3 wins in 3 fights. photo: Instagram / 2leidydai_

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Last week, news broke that Brazilian fighter Daiane Silva, who was set to make her Bellator debut on September 14, has been hospitalized in an intensive care unit in London since the day before the fight due to complications related to her weight cut. For the first time in over a month, a representative from the PFL, the organization that owns Bellator, has spoken publicly about the matter.

PFL founder and director Donn Davis said during a fan Q&A session hosted by 'MMA Fighting' journalist Mike Heck that the organization's silence on the matter concerns the privacy of the hospitalized athlete.

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“I will tell you that this subject was not specifically addressed due to the fighter’s privacy. Everything you said explains the situation. It was her first time with us, she had a very difficult weight cut that resulted in a medical emergency that was taken seriously and appropriately. She has been hospitalized for quite some time and we have done everything possible to help her recover. Saying more than that is not up to us. It is her business and her privacy. Everything I said is what has already been reported in the news and we do not want to say anything beyond that,” said the director.

Asked about the decision not to feed the press with information about the case, Donn Davis reaffirmed his interest in Daiane Silva's privacy and highlighted the PFL's treatment of its fighters over the years.

“I understand that a lot of times people in the press want to know things. I understand that, but I hope people recognize how we’ve handled our business partners, our fighters, our relationships with everyone over the last five or six years. We’ve always tried to do the right thing, which isn’t always the easiest thing. In this case, I think respecting her privacy at such a sensitive time rather than giving constant updates to everyone who wants to know is the right thing. It doesn’t seem like the easiest thing.”