Anderson Silva to face Michael Bisping in London in February
Thursday 24 December 2015 20:04, UK
Anderson Silva will return to the UFC fold when he headlines a London card with a middleweight clash against Britain's Michael Bisping on February 27.
The Brazilian (33-6) has not fought since beating Nick Diaz at UFC 183 in January 2015, a bout that ended as a no contest after both combatants failed drug tests.
Silva was suspended for a year after returning a positive test for two banned steroids while Diaz was banned for five years after a third positive test for marijuana.
Bisping (27-7) had been due to face Gegard Mousasi on the O2 card but now gets the chance to face the opponent he has coveted for a number of years.
The 37-year-old was part of the UFC 120 event in London in 2010 when claiming a unanimous decision over Japan's Yoshihiro Akiyama.
Their meeting will headline Fight Night 83, with Silva looking to revive a career that has seen him officially go winless since October 2012 - he was beaten twice by Chris Weidman before the Diaz no contest.
Silva reigned as middleweight champion for nearly seven years until the first Weidman defeat, and he suffered a broken leg when the rematch took place.
