Chris Leben, Silva's next opponent / Photo: Josh Hedges
After a one-year-and-two-month hiatus, Wanderlei Silva (33w, 10l, 1d) now has a date and opponent for his return to the octagon. As per the Brazilian’s request, he’ll face Chris Leben (25w, 7l) at UFC 132 on July 2 in Las Vegas.
Chris too voiced his desire to face the Brazilian, “a legend of the sport and hero” of his, said the American in praise. Should he win, Chris’s career will move up a rung. To Wanderlei, the win would serve as a good warmup for taking on the middleweight division’s elite. With the fight being in July, though, Wand pretty much forsakes an appearance at the UFC’s August 27 show in Rio.
UFC 132 also includes an intriguing bantamweight title bout between champion Dominick Cruz and former featherweight champion Urijah Faber, which will likely be the main event.