Anderson Silva-Chael Sonnen bout moved to Las Vegas from Rio

Las Vegas, NV, United States (AHN Sports) – Middleweight champion Anderson Silva will take on Chael Sonnen in Las Vegas on July 7, rather than two weeks earlier in Rio as originally scheduled.

UFC didn’t secure a venue in Rio, prompting the move according to organization officials.

“We wanted to do the fight here (Brazil) in a soccer stadium,” UFL president Dana White said at a news conference in Rio. “First we tried Sao Paulo, then we tried to get some stuff done in Rio … Not only did that not work out, but we still don’t have a venue for The Ultimate Fitghter (Brazil) finale. But we’re still working on a venue here.”

Sonnen said he doesn’t mind going for his third straight win in Las Vegas.

“Look, Las Vegas is the fight capital of the world,” Sonnen said.”This is the biggest fight in the history of combat — boxing, wrestling, fighting, anything that is mano a mano, there has been nothing that is bigger than this …. we’re going to the fight capital of Earth. We will be the biggest sporting event in the history of combat.”

Silva said he was looking forward to fighting in his home country, but will deal with the change of venue OK.

“I don’t have fans only in Brazil, but worldwide,” said Silva, who is 31-4. “So regardless of where this fight is, I will be representing Brazil. I will be doing my job for my fans.”

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