TOKYO -- Yoshihiro Akiyama announced Tuesday that he will be facing Wanderlei Silva next in a middleweight bout at UFC 110 on Feb. 6 in Las Vegas or at UFC 111, which is rumored to mark the promotion’s debut in Sydney, Australia, in late February.

Akiyama shared the news Tuesday during a news conference for the UFC’s “Undisputed” video game release.

The Japanese-Korean fighter, who was a former star for the Dream and K-1 Hero’s promotions, signed with the UFC in February.

Akiyama took a close split decision victory over Alan Belcher at UFC 100 last July in Las Vegas. The three-round slugfest earned the duo “Fight of the Night” honors and a hefty $100,000 bonus each from the promotion.

As Pride Fighting Championships’ feared 205-pound champion, Silva became a bona fide legend in Japan. Since re-joining the UFC ranks in late 2007, his swing-for-the-fences mentality has continued to engage fans, even in his three Octagon losses to Chuck Liddell, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and mostly recently to Rich Franklin at UFC 99 last June in Cologne, Germany. Silva knocked out Keith Jardine in 36 seconds at UFC 84 in May 2008.

The bout with Akiyama will be the Brazilian’s first at 185 pounds.