From 5th Round:
Yes, you did read the headline correctly. After featherweight champ Jose Aldo forced the planet’s premier mixed martial arts promotion to scramble for a new UFC 153 main event, middleweight king Anderson Silva (pictured) has agreed to serve as a last-minute substitute to fight Stephan Bonnar in a light heavyweight affair.
USAToday reported the October 13th scrap Wednesday evening.
Silva previously professed his 2012 campaign was a wrap after beating Chael Sonnen in July. However, “The Spider” offered up his services to salvage UFC 151 when Jon Jones declined a last-second scrap with Sonnen to save the September 1st event, but it was too late.
The baddest middleweight in bare feet was willing to compete in a 205-pound bout because he wasn’t in a position to make middleweight at the time. It seems like that will once again be the case.
Of Silva’s 15 Octagon forays, two have been at light heavyweight. He easily knocked out James Irvin (2008) and Forrest Griffin (2009), respectively, in those two outings.
After losing three straight scraps, Bonnar has bounced back to rattle off a trio of consecutive victories. The former “The Ultimate Fighter 1” finalist was last seen taking a decision win over Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139.
HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil hosts the fiesta.
Here is the show’s revised lineup:
Preliminary Card:
(Facebook 6:45PM ET/3:45PM PT)
Cristiano Marcello vs. Reza Madadi
Luiz Cane vs. Chris Camozzi
Sergio Moraes vs. Renee Forte
(FX 8PM/5PM)
Joey Gambino vs. Diego Brandao
Francisco Trinaldo vs. Gleison Tibau
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Geronimo dos Santos
Rony “Jason” Bezerra vs. Sam Sicilia
Main Card:
(Pay-Per-View 10PM ET/7PM PT)
Demian Maia vs. Rick Story
Phil Davis vs. Wagner Prado
Jon Fitch vs. Erick Silva
Dave Herman vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Glover Teixeira vs. Fabio Maldonado
Stephan Bonnar vs. Anderson Silva
Also from 5th Round
Jon Jones surprised Dana White 'belittled' him
Jose Aldo injury caps rough year for Frankie Edgar
Rampage Jackson backs out of fight
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
Original Story:
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September 12, 2012
So who has Conduit beat, a young Macdonald at the last 10 secs and young Ellenberger? What about BJ Penn, Hughes twice?
But he bailed out the UFC when Jones wouldn't do that. Jones claime he wouldn't fight a tomato can to helpt he UFC and Dana White. Now he fights an overrated middleweight Vitor off a broken hand.
Bonnar might have the size to muscle Silva but his wrestling is subpar. He might win a brawl but doesn't have the speed to keep up with Silva.
Anderson even has more KO power and his accuracy will pick apart Bonnar's defensive holes.