Anderson Silva returns to the ring against a familiar foe.
The former UFC middleweight champion and UFC Hall of Famer will face longtime boxing rival Chel Sonnen on June 15 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Both Silva and Sonnen announced the news via social media.
This will be Silva's last match in Brazil.
Anderson, see you on June 15th…#advertisement @spiderandersonsilva @spaten_br #BebaCom Modelathon #SpatenFightNight #Ultimalta Spider #estilofortespaten pic.twitter.com/PUZ1AGAm3Z
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) May 20, 2024
Silva is primarily known for his historic championship run with the UFC, but he stopped fighting in MMA in 2020 after his contract with the UFC expired.
Although the Brazilian legend has not competed in MMA again, he has taken up boxing and has fought sporadically since leaving the UFC. Silva has competed in boxing three times. He defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. twice in 2021 by decision and KO'd former UFC champion Tito Ortiz. And once in 2022, he faced YouTube star Jake Paul and lost by unanimous decision. He hasn't fought since.
He will now face Sonnen, who is making his boxing debut after coming out of retirement. The two fought twice in legendary bouts under the UFC banner, with Silva winning both times. The first match between the two at UFC 117 in August 2010 resulted in the UFC Hall of Famer being inducted less than two weeks after the boxing match ended.
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