[Sakara=Excitement]

Paulo Filho Reveals That Depression Was Reason for DREAM.12 Cancellation, Not Visa Problems - Bloody Elbow

An interview with Terra Magazine which was translated by URDirt.com reveals the news and contradicts earlier reports:

"However, after beating the dangerous Dutch striker Melvin Manhoef in July in Japan, a resident of Rio Niterói only fought once again in a national event still lacked a commitment killed by a depression.

Paulão should have fought the Dream again in late October, but missed the event at the last minute. Officially claimed had failed to Japanese visa, but later revealed that the true cause of his absence was the depression."
They also confirmed that Filho's depression was caused by an addiction to sleeping pills. A problem that is plauging a lot more fighters these days and we are familiar with due to the Karo Parisyan pulling out at UFC 106.

"Two years ago, the addiction to sleeping pills Paulão led to a depression which disturbs him to this day. During this period, Paulão lost the belt of World Extreme Cagefighting to an American wrestler infinitely inferior to him, the median Chael Sonnen."

This is a real drag and bad news for Fihlo and fight fans. As much as people like to hate on Paulo, there's nothing funny about mental health issues, drug addiction and depression. Here's hoping he'll be able to put his problems behind him and once again fight up to his abilities.