It looks like Rafael “Feijao” Calvalcante will be joining team Black House stablemate and UFC champ Anderson Silva on the scheduled UFC 162 card later this year.
According to MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani, the former Strikeforce light-heavyweight titleholder is reportedly set to make his promotional debut against fellow Brazilian Thiago Silva at the July 6 event in Las Vegas, although UFC officials have not yet confirmed the bout.
Coincidentally, both fighters are coming off of lengthy suspensions due to failed drug tests from their most recent contests.
Calvalcante received a one-year suspension and a $2,500 fine from the California State Athletic Commission after he tested positive for anabolic steroids for his May 19 bout against Mike Kyle at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier. The former champ submitted Kyle with a guillotine choke just 33-seconds into the first round; however, the win was changed to a no contest following the failed test.
He is due to come off of suspension on May 19.
Silva, meanwhile, also recently watched his own submission win turned into a no contest after testing positive for marijuana metabolites during the UFC’s trip to Macau, China last November. The Blackzilian team member submitted Stanislav Nedkov with an arm-triangle choke in the third round; however, he was stripped of the victory following the failed test and was ordered to participate in a drug rehab program.
Luckily for the Silva, he did not receive a fine and his suspension is set to end on April 10. The MMA veteran is pretty much in a must-win situation, as he has won just once since 2009, going 1-3 (2) during the suspension-ridden stretch.
Headlining the card will be middleweight champ Anderson Silva who will defend his title against the undefeated Chris Weidman.
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