UFC 173 Features Belfort vs. Weidman & Silva vs. Sonnen
Following UFC 169 the promotion announced that that the main event of UFC 173 will be Vitor Belfort (24-10) challenging Chris Weidman (11-0) for the UFC Middleweight title. Serving as the co-main event will the long awaited battle of TUF Brazil 3 coaches as Wanderlei Silva (35-12-1-1 nc) collides with Chael Sonnen (28-14-1).
Belfort since losing to Jon Jones in a Light Heavyweight title bout at UFC 152 has been on a tear stopping Michael Bisping (TKO), Luke Rockhold (KO), and Dan Henderson (KO). For some people the climb to a title fight is a long hard road, for Belfort this will be his 3rd title shot in 4 years.
Weidman has been on a tear ever since entering the UFC with decision wins over Alessio Sakara, and Demian Maia, submitting Jesse Bongfeldt and Tom Lawlor; then scoring Knockouts of Mark Munoz and Anderson Silva. Most recently the “All-American” by TKO due to injury (leg injury) defeated Anderson Silva for the second straight time.
After back to back losses to Anderson Silva and Jon Jones in title fights, Sonnen would rebound by submitting Shogun Rua at the first UFC on Fox Sports event; UFC Fight Night 26. Most recently at UFC 167 Sonnen lost by TKO to Rashad Evans, before leaving to coach The Ultimate Fighter Brazil season 3.
Silva has not fought since March of 2013, when in Japan as the main event of UFC on Fuel TV 8 ,“The Axe Murderer” knocked out Brian Stann in the 2nd round of there scheduled 5 rd fight.
UFC 173 will be on May 24, in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s rumored that the venue will be the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
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