UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva

By FCF Staff

Despite the reservations from Anderson Silva and his camp, as to whether Chris Weidman is a big enough draw at this stage of his career, the middleweight champion has reportedly agreed to fight the undefeated challenger on July 6th.

The bout will headline the upcoming UFC 162 card, which will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada. News of Silva’s decision was reported first by Newsday. The report says that UFC chief executive Lorenzo Fertitta has informed Weidman that Silva has agreed to the bout.

The 28 year-old Weidman (9-0) has been pushing for a title shot since his one sided, stoppage win over Mark Munoz last July. After the win, UFC President Dana White tapped Weidman as the division’s number one contender, however, Silva and his representatives did not endorse the bout.

Instead, they expressed doubts as to whether Weidman is deserving of a title shot, and further, whether he is is a big enough pay-per-view draw. After Michael Bisping lost to Vitor Belfort in January, however, Weidman remained the frontrunner to face Silva next.

Weidman has been sidelined in recent months with a shoulder injury, while the 37 year-old Silva (33-4) is coming off a stoppage win over Stephan Bonnar in October.

The venue for the July 6th, UF 162 bout has yet to be determined.