Anderson Silva to face Chael Sonnen in boxing match June 15

One of many best rivalries in blended martial arts historical past will recommence subsequent month.

Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will face Chael Sonnen in a boxing match June 15 in Brazil, the Spaten Combat Night time promotion introduced Sunday. Silva, 49, had been teasing his profession finale earlier this week, claiming his last combat would happen subsequent month in his birthplace of Sao Paulo.

Sonnen, 47, confirmed his participation by way of social media.

“Oh Anderson, yoohoo,” Sonnen stated. “It is me once more. See you June 15.”

Silva (34-11) and Sonnen (30-17-1) produced some of the memorable two-fight rivalries in UFC historical past. Silva was within the midst of a UFC-record 16 consecutive wins when he bumped into Sonnen in 2010. The outspoken title challenger from West Linn, Oregon, was an enormous underdog going into their first assembly at UFC 117.

Sonnen shocked the world for 23 minutes of that combat, dominating Silva with takedowns and ground-and-pound earlier than Silva secured a late triangle choke off his again. The UFC is ready to induct that combat into its Corridor of Fame in late June.

They met once more two years later at UFC 148 in a blockbuster rematch in Las Vegas. Silva knocked out Sonnen with a knee to the chest after Sonnen misplaced steadiness throwing a spinning backfist.

Silva retired from the UFC in 2020, however has since boxed professionally 4 instances. He’s 2-1-1 within the ring, with the one loss coming to Jake Paul by way of resolution in 2022. Sonnen retired from MMA in 2019 after 5 appearances in Bellator MMA. The previous collegiate wrestler has by no means boxed professionally.

Silva was broadly thought-about the best fighter of all time by 2010, however Sonnen’s capacity to advertise their rivalry along with his trash discuss of the Brazilian legend helped propel him to stardom.