Silva Out of UFC 117; Brown In Against Boetsch

Octagon newcomer Todd Brown is likely to replace an injured Thiago Silva against Tim Boetsch in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 117 “Silva vs. Sonnen” on Aug. 7 in Oakland, Calif., Sherdog.com has learned.

Multiple outlets reported on Tuesday that Silva withdrew from the bout with a back injury.

Brown currently rides a five-fight win streak into his promotional debut. In November, Brown earned a second-round technical knockout against Rodney Sleepers at an XXX Extreme Fighting event in South Bend, Ind.

Brown’s sole career defeat came to UFC 91 competitor Josh Hendricks at a NAAFS event in March 2007.

Following a decision loss to Jason Brilz at UFC 96 in March 2009, Boetsch has reeled off three straight wins on the local circuit. In April, the heavy-handed collegiate wrestler scored a 75-second knockout over Reese Shaner at an NAFC show in Wisconsin.