Silva-Werdum Added to Strikeforce

Antonio Silva is set to make his promotional debut against Fabricio Werdum in a heavyweight bout at Strikeforce “Fedor vs. Rogers” on Nov. 7 at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffmann Estates, Ill., Sherdog.com has confirmed through multiple sources.

Pending approval from the Illinois Boxing Commission, the three-round bout will be one of four fights televised live on CBS during the promotion’s debut on the major broadcast network. MMAWeekly.com was the first to report the confirmed matchup.

Silva, 30, completed a one-year steroid suspension in California on July 27 and will not face further repercussions from the California State Athletic Commission for fighting outside its jurisdiction during that period.

“There is no action pending against Mr. Silva nor is any contemplated,” wrote CSAC Executive Officer Dave Thornton in an e-mail to Sherdog.com. “So he is clear to fight in California or any other state as long as he fulfills all other requirements.”

The American Top Team heavyweight was suspended after testing positive for Boldenone following his July 2008 heavyweight championship contest against Justin Eilers at an EliteXC event in Stockton, Calif.

Silva has agreed to a multi-fight contract with Strikeforce with a carve-out that will also allow him to compete in Japan’s Sengoku promotion. He defeated Jim York on Sept. 22 at Sengoku “Tenth Battle” at the Super Saitama Arena in Japan. The 6-foot-4 fighter has only one loss on his ledger against Eric Pele, who stopped Silva with strikes on the ground in the first round at a Bodog Fight event in 2006. Silva has won his last six bouts in a row.

Werdum, 32, submitted Mike Kyle with a first-round guillotine choke in his debut for Strikeforce on Aug. 15 in San Jose, Calif. Prior to that, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt went 2-2 in the UFC, earning victories over Brandon Vera and Gabriel Gonzaga.

Also on the CBS telecast, the world’s No. 1 heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko, will meet undefeated Brett Rogers in the main event, while Jake Shields and Jason “Mayhem” Miller will vie for the promotion’s vacated middleweight title.