UFC
Thiago Silva vs. Brandon Vera rematch coming to UFC event on May 15 in Fairfax, Va.
Feb 2, 2012 - 10:25:24 AM Thiago Silva vs. Brandon Vera rematch coming to UFC event on May 15 in Fairfax, Va.

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Thiago Silva defeated Brandon Vera back at UFC 125 on January 1, 2011, but that win was overturned to a no contest when Silva submitted an altered urine sample to mask a steroid shot administered for a back injury. Silva was suspended for a year and fined a significant amount of money out of the issue, but now that's he's served his suspension, he's getting ready to return.

For Vera, that fight led to him being cut from the organization, but when it was changed to a no contest he was brought back. He defeated Eliot Marshall in his return in October, and now the two of them will meet again.

The UFC announced late Wednesday that the two will meet on May 15 in Fairfax, Va. The event, likely to take place from the Patriot Center, has not been confirmed as an FX or a Fuel TV broadcast yet, though it's expected to be the former.

Penick's Analysis: I really don't know why Vera wanted this rematch, but the UFC gave it to him. Silva handled him in the first fight, and even though he failed his drug test afterward and has been out for a year, there's no real reason to believe the fight would go any differently. Vera simply isn't the fighter he was thought to be when he entered the organization at heavyweight, and though Silva's had his issues, he's a very violent and skilled fighter who still should win this fight upon his return.

[Thiago Silva art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]