UFC 117

UFC 117,

Silva vs. Sonnen is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on August 7, 2010 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, United States.

Background

UFC President Dana White announced via ESPN on Jim Rome is Burning that Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva would face Chael Sonnen on August 7 after having choice words for the champion. The winner will face Vitor Belfort in a matchup currently targeted for November.

White has threatened to cut Silva from the UFC if he fights the same way he did in his last bout in Abu Dhabi. "I'm telling you right now, if he acts like that again in the ring, I will cut him," said White. "I don't care if he's the pound for pound best fighter in the world. I don't care if he's the middleweight champion."

A bout between Joey Beltran and Matt Mitrione was reported to be in the works.The fight was later moved to UFC 119.

Stanislav Nedkov was scheduled to make his UFC debut against Rodney Wallace, but was replaced by Phil Davis after sustaining an injury.

Thiago Silva was scheduled to face Tim Boetsch, but was forced off the card with an injury.Silva's replacement will be Todd Brown.

Dana White confirmed that the winners of the Nelson/dos Santos and Fitch/Alves fights will receive title shots in their respective divisions.

The Fitch/Alves fight was changed to catchweight status after Alves came in a half-pound over weight, Alves was fined 20% of his purse.

Official fight card

Preliminary card

Welterweight bout: Ben Saunders vs. Dennis Hallman

Heavyweight bout: Stefan Struve vs. Christian Morecraft

Welterweight bout: Johny Hendricks vs. Charlie Brenneman

Light Heavyweight bout: Tim Boetsch vs. Todd Brown
Light Heavyweight bout: Phil Davis vs. Rodney Wallace

Welterweight bout: Dustin Hazelett vs. Rick Story

Main card

Heavyweight bout: Roy Nelson vs. Junior dos Santos

Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs. Ricardo Almeida
Lightweight bout: Clay Guida vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Catchweight bout (171.5 Ibs): Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves

Middleweight Championship bout: Anderson Silva (c) vs. Chael Sonnen

(source:wikipedia)