Anderson Silva set to box Chael Sonnen in Brazil

Anderson Silva will face Chael Sonnen in a boxing match July 15 in Brazil, Spaten Fight Night announced Sunday on Globo’s Fantastico. The promotion did not reveal if it will be a professional or exhibition match, nor the weight class and number of rounds.

The match is being promoted as the “grand finale” of Silva’s combat sports career after 46 MMA bouts and six boxing contests between pro and exhibition bouts, however Silva declined to confirm whether or not he will retire after the match. Silva’s professional boxing record stands at 3-2 going into the event.

Silva, born in Sao Paulo in April 1975, has never fought in his hometown. “The Spider” won nine of 11 MMA fights in Brazil, including UFC wins over Yushin Okami and Stephan Bonnar. He last fought in the country against Jared Cannonier at UFC 237 in May 2019, losing via TKO due to leg kicks.

Sonnen, a three-time UFC title contender at middleweight and light heavyweight, lost twice to Silva inside the octagon. Sonnen first rose to fame by verbally attacking the Brazilian prior to their initial clash and then nearly dethroning Silva in an iconic bout. Sonnen lost via fifth-round submission in a match that is being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this June. Silva won the rematch via TKO.

Sonnen ultimately went 7-7 inside the UFC and 2-3 under the Bellator banner late in his career, scoring big MMA wins over Mauricio Rua, Michael Bisping, Quinton Jackson, and Yushin Okami. Sonnen flew to Sao Paulo in 2014 to coach a season of The Ultimate Fighter opposite Wanderlei Silva but never had a chance to compete in the country.