Anderson Silva vs. Jared Cannonier targeted for UFC 237 in Rio de Janeiro
For the chance to return to Brazil, Anderson Silva is willing to make a fast turnaround.
The former longtime UFC middleweight champion has agreed to meet Jared Cannonier at UFC 237 on May 11. MMA Fighting confirmed a Wednesday report by ESPN. MMA Fighting also confirmed a report by Combate that the event will be held in Rio de Janeiro.
The 43-year-old Silva (34-9, 1 NC) just fought on Feb. 9, where he put in a solid showing in a unanimous decision loss to rising star Israel Adesanya at UFC 234 in Melbourne, Australia. That was his first fight since a victory over Derek Brunson nearly two years to the day prior at UFC 208.
Cannonier (11-4), meanwhile, is a competitor who has competed as high as heavyweight during his time in the UFC. He made his middleweight debut at UFC 230, where he earned a second-round TKO over former World Series of Fighting middleweight and light heavyweight champ David Branch, a performance which snapped a two-fight losing streak.
For Silva, a native of Curitiba, Brazil who now resides in Palos Verdes, Calif., the bout will be the first in his homeland since his first-round knockout of Stephan Bonnar in a light heavyweight matchup at UFC 153 in 2012, which was also held in Rio.