Sonnen, Silva verbally agree to bout

Despite what the challenger has said in recent weeks, Chael Sonnen will face Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight championship this summer. During the UFC 143 post-fight press conference, White was asked if the two will meet, now that Sonnen survived won his match-up with Michael Bisping last Saturday at UFC on FOX 2. "It's on," White responded to the question. White was asked if the fight had been finalized and signed between the two. "It's not signed, but it is verbally agreed to," White responded. White confirmed the fight would take place in Brazil in June, although no specific date was given. The two first met on Aug. 7, 2010 in Oakland, Calif. Sonnen dominated the champion for four and a half rounds before being submitted to a triangle armbar by Silva. Sonnen subsequently failed a post-fight drug test and was suspended for a year. He has defeated Brian Stann and Bisping since his return to the Octogon.