Anderson Silva Returns to Face Jared Cannonier at UFC 237 in Brazil

Anderson Silva will get his wish to compete in front of home country fans once again, as he is slated to meet Jared Cannonier at UFC 237 this May.

According to ESPN via Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White late on Wednesday, former middleweight king Silva (34-8, 1 NC) will compete in his native country of Brazil against former heavyweight-turned-middleweight Jared Cannonier (11-4). They will lock horns at UFC 237 this May at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

Silva last competed at UFC 234, where on fight day he was upgraded to headliner status, and dropped a competitive decision to upcoming title challenger Israel Adesanya. Although he once maintained a UFC-high win streak of 16 consecutive victories stretching from 2006 to 2012, since losing his middleweight crown he has only won once in his last seven bouts -- a contentious decision win against Derek Brunson at UFC 208. This appearance in Brazil will be his first since final victory on the aforementioned win streak, where he knocked out Stephan Bonnar in the first round in 2012. Silva maintains a 9-1 record in his home country, with that lone loss by decision to Luiz Azeredo in 2000.

Cannonier made his successful debut at 185 pounds last November at UFC 230, where the Alaskan knocked out David Branch in the second round. With a record of 4-4 inside the UFC, Cannonier initially started his UFC run at heavyweight before dropping down to light heavyweight for five bouts, going 2-3.

UFC 237 will take place on May 11 at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although not announced as the headliner, Rose Namajunas is set to defend her strawweight belt against Jessica Andrade at the event. Also competing at UFC 237 will be light heavyweights Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ryan Spann, and at women’s bantamweight, Bethe Correia will face Irene Aldana.

Breaking: Anderson Silva (34-9) will face Jared Cannonier (11-4) at UFC 237 on May 11 in Brazil, per UFC president Dana White. Silva just dropped a decision to Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 234 earlier this month, and said he wanted to be on the Brazil card.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 20, 2019