It all started when his future opponent at UFC 324, Briton Arnold Allen, jokingly called Silva his 'autism brother.' Allen had previously mentioned that he considers himself a 'typical quiet and awkward autist,' though without an official diagnosis.
Jean decided to respond as directly as possible:
'Allen— I don’t know if he officially has it, but I do. Damn, what a thing... I'm autistic. I underwent an examination and received an ASD diagnosis. So two autists will be fighting in the cage. But I'm absolutely sure— I am the one winning that evening,' the Brazilian said in an interview.
At the press conference, Silva went further and addressed Dana White directly:
'If you give us an increased Fight of the Night bonus— you'll see how two autists really tear apart the cage.' Dana, unfazed, briefly replied: 'Deal.'
Let us recall that the UFC 324 tournament will take place on a Sunday night in Las Vegas, USA.