The UFC is in the early stages of putting together the rematch between new middleweight champion Chris Weidman and former title holder Anderson Silva, but at least one date has now been ruled out.
According to a report from The New York Post on Wednesday quoting UFC president Dana White, the bout between Weidman and Silva won’t land on the upcoming UFC card on February 1 during Super Bowl weekend in New Jersey.
The promotion is currently planning a show for that date in coordination with Super Bowl 48, which will be broadcast on Fox—the broadcast partner of the UFC.
White says that a second fight between Weidman and Silva will be so huge it can stand alone as a mega-event—maybe even big enough to finally take the promotion to Dallas Cowboys Stadium.
The report states that White plans on speaking to Silva on Thursday to discuss the rematch, and start to finalize some plans for the highly anticipated showdown.
White also stated that there is still a chance that Weidman vs. Silva II could take place this year, although with several title fights already promoted through the end of 2013, it’s unlikely that will happen.
The belief is the fight between Weidman and Silva could be the biggest fight in UFC history, so the promotion is cashing in all the chips to make sure this event is promoted to the greatest extreme.
Weidman knocked out Silva in the second round to win the UFC middleweight title and stop the Brazilian’s unprecedented seven-year, 16-fight UFC unbeaten streak. Before the fight ever started, White promised Silva an automatic rematch should he fall to Weidman.
As soon as the fight was over, Silva stated he wasn’t all that interested in a rematch, but White predicted his tune would change after having a chance to reflect on what happened.
It appears White was correct because just four days later the promotion is starting to begin preparations to put together the rematch where Silva will enter as the challenger for the first time since he won the belt by defeating Rich Franklin in 2006.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report
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