Silva out, Belfort steps in to face Sonnen at UFC 175

Coaches of TUF Brazil 3 and long time rivals Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva were set to settle their differences at UFC 175, one of two UFC cards part of the International Fight Weekend, July Long Weekend.  UFC 175 is set to take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 5th. 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa)

Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva were originally scheduled to headline the TUF Brazil 3 Finale coming up this Saturday.  Silva was injured due to a brawl they had on set and the bout was delayed until UFC 175.  TUF Brazil 3 Finale was set to pit former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos against rising contender Stipe Miocic. Dos Santos, however, injured his hand in training and had to pull out of the fight, fan favorite Fabio Maldonaldo stepped in to face the American Miocic.

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa)

Earlier this week, Sonnen and Silva were required to have medical examination tests by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.  Sonnen showed up and completed all the tests, testing negative for all banned substances, including high-TRT levels.  Sonnen was a user of the TRT therapy, but stopped when NSAC put a ban on it earlier this year.

Wanderlei did not show up to do the tests at all, therefore NSAC could not grant him a license to fight against Chael Sonnen at UFC 175. 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa)

Vitor Belfort has stepped in to fight Sonnen. 

Belfort was a long-time user of the TRT therapy, and has had problems with NSAC before.  Belfort also performed the tests that Sonnen had to, and tested negative for all banned substances, like Sonnen.  Belfort's TRT levels are not too high, so no worries there.  

Belfort vs. Sonnen will be at 205 pounds. 

Globo.com first announced the change in the bout.  It was then confirmed later. 

Sonnen did say he doesn't believe Wanderlei will fight, what does this revelation mean to you? Tweet me or Nick. @JohnKingMMA and @NickUFC


-Nick and John.