• UFC 173

Sonnen-W. Silva set for UFC 173 grudge match

Brett Okamoto
February 4, 2014
Wanderlei Silva hasn't fought since scoring a second-round knockout over Brian Stann last March © Getty Images
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A light heavyweight grudge match between Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva will serve as the co-main event at UFC 173 on May 24 in Las Vegas.

UFC president Dana White confirmed the plans on Saturday, following UFC 169 in Newark, New Jersey. A middleweight title fight between Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort is scheduled to headline the pay-per-view event.

Sonnen and Silva are currently in Brazil, coaching opposite one another in the third installment of the Brazilian edition of The Ultimate Fighter reality series.

The two engaged in an on-camera scuffle while filming the show, according to White. He said punishments were handed out, although offered no further detail.

Sonnen (28-14-1) is coming off a first-round TKO loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 167 in November. A former No.1 contender at middleweight and light heavyweight, Sonnen is now 1-2 since moving up divisions in early 2013.

Silva (35-12-1) hasn't fought since scoring a second-round knockout over Brian Stann on March 3. The Las Vegas-based light heavyweight has a 3-3 record since June 2009, alternating wins and losses in the process.

Silva, 37, appeared on the verge of being cut by the UFC following a 27-second knockout loss to Chris Leben in July 2011, but rebounded with a 2-1 mark in his next three fights.

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com

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