Anderson Silva & Chael Sonnen at the UFC press conference in Brazil – Image via UFC.com
Fans in Brazil were unhappy to hear that a UFC middleweight title fight between champion Anderson Silva (31-4) and challenger Chael Sonnen (27-11-1) would be moved from the upcoming UFC 147 event in the South American country, to UFC 148 in Las Vegas.
UFC president Dana White made the announcement during today’s live press conference in Brazil, noting that no venue has been secured for the UFC 147 event at this time.
UFC 147 was to have been a stadium event, rumored for the Joao Havelange Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on June 23, but with a United Nations conference scheduled for June 20-22 in that city there were concerns over a lack of hotel availability as well as infrastructure support.
Silva vs. Sonnen II will now headline UFC 148 in Vegas and is expected to take place on July 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. This card will also feature a bantamweight title fight between “TUF 15″ coaches Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber.
UFC 147, meanwhile likely see UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo (21-1) take over the main event position moving from the upcoming UFC 149 event in Calgary.
The Brazilian card will also keep a middleweight bout between “TUF Brazil” coaches Vitor Belfort (21-9) and Wanderlei Silva (34-11-1) on the card, as well as a heavyweight match featuring Brazilian fighter Fabricio Werdum (15-5-1) and Mike Russow (15-1).