Silva vs. Weidman Likely for July 6th Event

Chris Weidman

Silva vs. Weidman This Summer?

Chris Weidman said that he'd like to fight Anderson Silva July 4th weekend, and he will most likely get his wish. Brazilian news source TATAME (via MMAmania.com) reports that the UFC has contacted both fighters' camps about booking a middleweight title fight for an event set to take place on Saturday, July 6th.

Weidman's number one contender status was solidified when Michael Bisping lost to Vitor Belfort late last month and Rashad Evans was out-boxed by Antonio Rogerio Nogueira just a few weeks ago. The prospective title fight will be almost one year since Weidman's last fight, a spectacular elbow KO of Mark Munoz.

The Serra-Longo star was supposed to fight Tim Boetsch at UFC 155 in December of 2012, but had to back out to have surgery on his shoulder. While recovering on the sidelines, Weidman stated that he didn't believe he would be 100% ready to fight again until this summer.

Silva made quick work of Stephan Bonnar last October, but hasn't fought at middleweight since gaining a second victory over Chael Sonnen at UFC 148. This is mostly because he didn't believe anybody was really qualified to challenge him until very recently when he realized Weidman was the only possible opponent who hadn't lost his last fight.

As of right now, the fight is still in its negotiation stages as nothing has been signed or announced just yet. But considering the UFC's new trend of confirming the most popular of rumors, expect an official announcement in the near future for Anderson Silva's record-11th middleweight title defense.