Ex-UFC rivals Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen to box in Brazil

Field Level Media|published: Mon 20th May, 13:32 2024

Anderson Silva collects himself after taking a hit from Jake Paul at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Jake Paul V Anderson Silva

Former UFC fighters Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen will renew their rivalry in the boxing ring next month.

The 216-pound bout will consist of five two-minute rounds on June 15 in Sao Paulo in Silva's native Brazil.

Both men announced the fight on social media.

Silva, now 49, is a UFC Hall of Famer and former middleweight champion who bested Sonnen in a pair of heated bouts at UFC 117 in 2010 and UFC 148 in 2012.

Silva rallied to win with a late triangle choke in the first meeting -- a fight that is being inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame next month -- and knocked out Sonnen with a knee to the chest in the rematch.

Silva has boxed professionally four times since retiring from UFC in 2020, going 2-1-1 with his loss coming via decision to Jake Paul in 2022.

Sonnen, 47, retired from mixed-martial arts in 2019 and will be making his boxing debut.

--Field Level Media

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