People in this region I spoke with before UFGT:
Zyphox -- Couldn't make it, no choice.
Jupiter -- Wanted to go, wasn't allowed to go, couldn't make it, no choice.
Arma -- Wanted to go, couldn't make it, no choice.
Sonic Fox -- Scheduling + family, wanted to go but could not go.
Rev0lver -- Had a schedule conflict that was unresolvable, couldn't make it, no choice.
Tom -- Couldn't make it, no choice.
In general, whether due to age + family concerns, being able to afford gas/tolls/plane tickets/venue/hotel, being unable to get off work, or conflicts with school/family visits etc., a lot of people wanted to go and couldn't. But I didn't talk to people who were saying "I can afford to go and my schedule is open, but I'm just not going to go because who cares about UFGT".
So if that's what the rumor was, it's off base. However, I am always for getting people out to events, and people will probably tell you that I encourage or find ways to help people get to events that they might otherwise have been able to make. When people cross the borders and venture farther away, it makes for better events and more diverse competition.