Sources close to the event today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that light heavyweights Thiago Silva (14-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (20-6 MMA, 4-4 UFC) have agreed to meet at UFC 149 in Calgary, Alberta.

UFC president Dana White today tweeted the Silva vs. Rua matchup but didn’t reveal a date for it. MMAjunkie.com later confirmed the targeted event.

UFC 149 takes place July 21 at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome. The main card airs on pay-per-view, and FX and Facebook are expected to carry the prelims. Silva vs. Rua likely will be part of the PPV lineup, which – as MMAjunkie.com first reported – will feature a featherweight title fight between champion Jose Aldo (21-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and challenger Erik Koch (13-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC).

Silva recently returned from a 15-month layoff (due to a drug suspension) and suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Alexander Gustafsson in this month’s UFC on FUEL TV 2 headliner. Since opening his UFC career with a 4-0 mark, the Brazilian is just 1-3, which included a UFC 125 victory over Brandon Vera that was overturned to a no-contest.

Rua recently saw his UFC record fall to .500 with a hard-fought, “Fight of the Year” decision loss to Dan Henderson back in November at UFC 139. The 2006 PRIDE grand-prix champion won the UFC light-heavyweight title from Lyoto Machida in 2010 but lost it to reigning champion Jon Jones in early 2011.

Combined, Silva and Rua have posted 28 knockouts in 34 career wins.

For more on UFC 149, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

Source: MMAjunkie.com, by Dann Stupp and John Morgan

The drought is almost over, Maniacs.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is back in action this weekend from the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, featuring UFC on FUEL TV 2: “Gustafsson vs. Silva” on April 14, 2012.

UFC on FUEL TV 2 features native son Alexander Gustafsson in the headlining bout taking on Brazilian bomber Thiago Silva, who returns from his steroid suspension to replace the injured Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Other bouts booked for the overseas event include Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara (Middleweight) and Paulo Thiago vs. Siyar Bahadurzada (Welterweight).

Remember that because of the difference in time zones, Saturday’s show begins promptly at 12:30 p.m. ET live on Facebook with the televised main card kicking things off on FUEL TV at 3 p.m. ET. For more information on how (and when) to watch click here.

Below is the finalized UFC on FUEL TV 2 fight card and line-up:

Main Event:

205 lbs.: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Thiago Silva

Main Card (FUEL TV):

185 lbs.: Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara
170 lbs.: Paulo Thiago vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
135 lbs.: Brad Pickett vs. Damacio Page
145 lbs.: Dennis Siver vs. Diego Nunes
170 lbs.: DaMarques Johnson vs. John Maguire

Preliminary Card (Facebook):

145 lbs.: Jason Young vs. Eric Wisely
170 lbs.: Papy Abedi vs. Jam

MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action on fight night (Sat., April 14), which is slated to air at 3 p.m. ET on FUEL TV. The latest quick updates of the live action will begin to flow earlier than that around 12:30 p.m. ET with the preliminary bouts on Facebook.

For all the latest and greatest news and notes for UFC on FUEL TV 2 click here.

205 lbs.: Cyrille Diabate vs. Tom DeBlass
185 lbs.: Francis Carmont vs. Magnus Cedenblad
170 lbs.: Besam Yousef vs. Simeon Thoresen
155 lbs.: Yoislandy Izquierdo vs. Reza Madadi

For all the latest and greatest news and notes for UFC on FUEL TV 2 click here

Source: mmamania.com,By Jesse Holland (April 9, 2012)

Alexander Gustafsson seems to be the uncrowned third contender in the UFC’s light heavyweight, according to many MMA fans, but I’m not so sure that this fight is in any way a certainty. I think people have forgotten how much of a beast Thiago Silva is at this point.

Silva has only lost twice in his UFC career, and those losses were to light heavyweight top contender Rashad Evans, in which Thiago had a bad back injury coming in, and to former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida.

Silva is a tough, durable and strong light heavyweight who, at 205 pounds, is capable of knocking out any man. Admittedly, Thiago Silva is a huge question mark at this point, but if he is healthy his powerful punches could spell a short night for the “Mauler.”

Alexander Gusafsson is a rising prospect in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. His only loss in the UFC was a submission loss to Phil Davis. Since then he has rattled off an impressive winning streak, most recently knocking out tough veteran Vladimir Matyushenko in the first round.

Prediction

It seems to me that ever since Antonio Rogerio Nogueira was replaced by Thiago Silva, there has been a significant amount of the MMA fan base that has awarded Alexander Gustafsson the victory already. There are even people who feel he is the third in line to fight Jon Jones after Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson.

In part, I understand the mentality, seeing that Gustafsson had the winning streak, Silva had a long layoff and Gustafsson has his height, which could be seen as an advantage as well.

Something tells me everyone is overlooking Thiago Silva. Not to say that Alexander Gustafsson won’t get a title shot in the near future, but in this fight I think Thiago will come out aggressively, take the center of the Octagon and put pressure on Gustafsson that he won’t be able to deal with.

I see Thiago Silva winning this fight by knockout.

Source: bleacherreport.com,By Michael Evans(April 7,2012)

With a left hook, Silva took out Keith Jardine. He lost to Rashad Evans and then had his win over Brandon Vera turned into a no-contest after the positive drug test. Will he start his post-suspension career with a win? Tell us in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Source: sports.yahoo.com,By Maggie Hendricks (April 6, 2012)

After failing a drug test in early 2011 after altering his urine sample, sitting out a year due to the accompanying suspension, and now getting a slot in a UFC main event, Silva needs to prove to fans and UFC officials he’s worthy of his top billing at UFC on Fuel 2.

But more than anything, he needs to prove to himself that he’s the fighter he once was, he told MMAjunkie.com.

Silva (14-2 mixed martial arts, 5-2 UFC), a late replacement for injured Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC), meets fast-rising light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson (13-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC on Fuel 2 headliner. The bout takes place in Gustafsson’s home country of Sweden at Stockholm’s Ericsson Globe Arena. The main card airs live on Fuel TV at 3 p.m. ET following prelims on Facebook at 12:30 p.m. ET.

The past 16 months have been full of highs and lows for Silva. He won a unanimous decision over Brandon Vera at UFC 125 in January 2011, but failed his post-fight drug test after submitting a synthetic urine sample. Silva said he was injured heading into the fight and had injections of banned substances put into his ailing back.

Despite his admission, the Nevada State Athletic Commission offered no leniency, and Silva was shut down with a year-long suspension and $33,750 fine.

But he sees the silver lining.

“It’s been a hard time, but I used the time off to take care of my body and take care of my injuries and recover,” he today told MMAjunkie.com. “I’m much better right now because I’m 100% healthy. And that’s the most important thing.”

Although previously slated to fight on UFC on Fuel 3 in May, Silva was moved up to the Gustafsson bout when Nogueira was hurt in training. It’s a main-event fight in a new country against the division’s fastest-rising prospect in Gustafsson.

Silva relishes the opportunity.

“I’ve very excited,” he said. “I haven’t fought for one year, and right now, I’m back in a main event. I’m very grateful. It means a lot to me and especially because of this. Like I said, after one year, I come back into a main event.”

he’s no stranger to adversity or self-preservation. Silva ran away from an abusive home when he was 14 and lived in Brazil’s slums until he found mixed martial arts, which led to a pro career.

He knows the failed drug test was a big and very public setback – one that seemingly derailed all the progress he’s made in the UFC. After all, his only career losses have come to Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans, former champs.

But he’s essentially starting from scratch, and he needs to prove his title worthiness not only to the sport’s fans, but also to himself. So who’s he really fighting for on Saturday?

“It’s a hard question,” he said. “I think I’m a tough guy. I’m trying to get my (standing) back. I don’t want to be stupid and say I’m top 10 or this or that. I can’t judge myself, so I’m here to do my job and prove myself again.

“But I think it’s more for me than the fans. I want to be the best fighter in the world. It’s personal.”

Source: tucsoncitizen.com ,ByJohn Morgan and Dann Stupp,(April 11,2012)

Hometown hero Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson gets his chance to make Sweden proud as he takes on Brazilian Thiago Silva at UFC Live: Gustafsson vs Silva Saturday in Stockholm, Sweden.

The young Swede is riding a 4-fight win streak, while Silva is returning from a year-long suspension for tampering with his UFC 125 urine sample. It resulted in his victory over Brandon Vera being turned into a no-contest.

One thing is for certain: Gustafsson will have an entier nation in his corner.

Welcome back to The Crossfire.

MMA Crossfire Expert Cassie Wiseman checks in with her thoughts on the main card:

Cassie is a mixed martial artist with over five years of study. Training primarily in South Korea, she has black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Muay Thai kickboxing. A proud Canadian from Roberts Arm, Newfoundland, she files for The Crossfire having recently returned from South Korea. She also blogs for Postmedia Networks’ Womens Fight Club website.

UFC LIVE: GUSTAFSSON VS SILVA

Damarques “Darkness” Johnson (18-9-0) vs. John Maguire (17-3-0)

Wiseman: Anytime a fighter goes up against a wrestler the first question has to be whether or not they can stuff a takedown. For the wrestler, he/she has to question the ground game of their opponent. In this particular matchup, Johnson is a very skilled grappler which will eliminate any distance. Johnson can use this to wear down the gas tank of Maguire, making him resort to what he does best: Wrestling. To make this match even more interesting, Maquire also has a ground game, but not a strong enough ground-and-pound game. This fight will certainly entertain the fans, but it’s merely going to be a chess match where each fighter is at a loss as to how to finish. Maquire being the more diverse fighter will be able to score enough to satisfy the judges, but Johnson will certainly make it a challenge.

Wiseman Prediction: John Maguire vía decisión.

Dennis Siver (19-8-0) vs. Diego “The Gun” Nunes (17-2-0)

Wiseman: It’s not a normal fight for Siver if he isn’t fighting against an opponent with a reach advantage and this match is no different. Nunes will be able to use his striking ability of firing while moving backwards to do damage. The speed and kicks of Siver will test Nunes making this a standup match one where each fighter is evenly matched. Entertaining yes, but neither fighter has enough of an edge over the other for a finish.

Wiseman Prediction: Diego “The Gun” Nunes via decision.

Paulo Thiago (14-3-0) vs. Siyar “The Great” Bahadurzada (20-4-1)

Wiseman: It’s no secret Thiago continues to improve. He came on the scene with submission attempts and is now developeing his standup game. Bahadurzada being predominately a standup fighter,will be a suitable test for Thiago’s new standup abilities. Bahadurzada is still the more technical and superior striker though. leaving Thiago to do what he does best, take a limb off.

Wiseman Prediction: Thiago via submission.

“All-American” Brain Stann vs. Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara

Wiseman: This is going to be a standing war, especially in the beginning of the fight. Sakara is the technical striker and always dangerous with his combinations so he will test the chin of Stann. What Sakara needs to be weary about is Stann testing his chin. Another thing to keep in mind is the level of fighters that Stann has fought in his UFC career (Phil Davis, Chris Leben, Jorge Santiago and Chael Sonnen). Sakara hasn’t come close to such a level of opponent, until now This will definitely be the biggest test of Sakara’s career, but for Stann it will just be another fighter that he introduces to his fists.

Wiseman Prediction: “All-American” Brian Stann via TKO.

MAIN EVENT

Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson (13-1-0) vs. Thiago Silva (14-2-0, 1 NC)

Wiseman: With Silva just coming off an extensive period outside the octagon everyone is wondering if “ring rust” will be a factor. Gustafsson, on the other hand, has risen quickly up the rankings, showing that he is a finisher regardless of who he steps inside the octagon against. Both fighters have KO power in their hands, so it’s all about who will connect first. Gustafsson with the reach and speed advantage will certainly be the first to put Silva’s return to the test. Silva has been known for his standup slugfest, but over a course of time he has become predictable. The youthful Gustafsson will show once again the importance of evolving and being unpredictable.

Wiseman Prediction: Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson via TKO.

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cwmmacrossfire@gmail.com

Source: montrealgazette.com By Kenia Andrews and Assie Wiseman (April 11,2012)

After taking a long break, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will return on April 14, with the “UFC on Fuel TV 2″ fight card. The event will be held at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Here are my predictions for the entire “UFC on Fuel TV 2″ fight card:

Alexander Gustafsson versus Thiago Silva

Gustafsson will certainly have his hands full, when he faces Thiago at “UFC on Fuel TV 2.” With a 5-1 record in the UFC, Gustafsson’s future looks bright, but I’m not sure he’s ready for the likes of Thiago. Silva has more experience against top level fighters, and that’ll probably be enough to get him past Gustafsson’s home-crowd advantage. Thiago Silva wins via TKO.

Brian Stann versus Alessio Sakara

Stann ran into some problems in his last fight against Chael Sonnen, but things should go a lot better for him at “UFC on Fuel TV 2.” Like Stann, Sakara likes to stand and trade. And fans should be in for an entertaining fight. Unfortunately for Sakara, he doesn’t typically do well against heavy-handed guys, shifting the odds in Stann’s favor. Stann wins via TKO.

Paulo Thiago versus Siyar Bahadurzada

After knocking out Josh Koscheck in his UFC debut, Thiago has been inconsistent inside the Octagon, losing three of his last six fights. He’ll get to welcome Bahadurzada at “UFC on Fuel TV 2,” and it certainly won’t be an easy fight. Bahadurzada is the better striker, but Thiago is the better ground fighter. Thiago should be able to take the fight to the ground, and utilize his superior ground skills. Thiago wins by decision.

Dennis Siver versus Diego Nunes

Siver was a beast at 155, and I expect him to be even better in the featherweight division. As long as the cut to 145 goes well, I expect him to fight his way to title contention pretty quickly. Siver wins by decision.

DaMarques Johnson versus John Maguire

Maguire will try to stretch his current win streak to seven, when he faces Johnson at “UFC on Fuel TV 2.” Johnson is the superior striker, but he typically struggles against solid grapplers. Maguire happens to be just that, and his takedowns looked pretty good in his UFC debut against Justin Edwards. Maguire should be able to take the fight to the ground and keep it there. Maguire wins by decision.

Brad Pickett versus Damacio Page

Both fighters are coming off loses, and motivation shouldn’t be a problem when they meet inside the Octagon. Pickett is a little more rounded, and things should go his way if he takes the fight to the ground. Pickett wins by submission.

Thiago Silva has been away from the Octagon for more than a year since having his license revoked by the Nevada State Athletic Commission following UFC 125, when the Brazilian light heavyweight admitted to altering his urine sample for a post-fight drug screen.

Thanks to the recent injury suffered by Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, the American Top Team representative will make his return in emphatic fashion, as he steps in to take on hometown favorite Alexander Gustafsson in the UFC on Fuel 2 main event in Stockholm, Sweden on April 15. In a recent interview with PVT, the Brazilian discussed that fight as well as the upcoming 205-pound title clash between Jon Jones and Rashad Evans on April 21.

Silva was dominant in taking a unanimous decision over Brandon Vera at UFC 125, but the result of the bout was changed to a no-contest after Silva admitted to altering his urine sample to mask injections he received in his back and spine that contained banned substances.

“I re-injured my back 45 days before the fight with Brandon Vera. After not fighting for a year, I made the decision to not pull out of the fight,” wrote Silva in a statement last April. “I also decided that the only way I could continue with the fight was to take injections in my back and spine that contained substances prohibited by the Nevada Athletic Commission. I also made the decision to use a product to hide the presence of these substances in a urine test.”

Silva was originally scheduled for a rematch with Vera at UFC on Fuel 3 on May 15, but “The Truth” was forced to pull out of the matchup after suffering an injury. Igor Prokrajac was then slated to step in against Silva before Nogueira’s injury created a need at the top of the April 15 card.

Despite multiple changes in prospective opponents, Silva is unfazed, though he admits to feeling some disappointment at not being able to face Vera.

"For me there is not much to change, but I actually wanted to get Brandon Vera because he talked a lot of nonsense,” Silva said. “He took a beating like a little girl and was crying afterwards. I think [this time] he broke a nail, so he couldn’t fight. They offered the Croation [Prokrajac], then Nogueira was hurt — I don’t choose my opponents, so I accepted [the fight with Gustafsson]. I’m happy to be in the main fight of the night, and I will show why I should be there."

Though he has been out of action for more than a year, Silva believes that ring rust will not be a factor in his performance.

"I haven’t fought, but I didn’t stop [training]. I am 100 percent in full swing. I’m very excited; the anticipation is huge to fight again. I’m too hungry for a fight,” he said.

Known for his killer instinct in the cage, the Brazilian promises to return with the same style that has led him to 14 professional MMA wins, 11 via knockout or technical knockout.

"Anyone who knows me knows my style — I don’t like goofing off. I go there to finish the fight. I will continue to be aggressive,” he said.

The most difficult aspect of Silva’s NSAC-imposed hiatus was simply not being able to compete on a UFC card.

"The hardest part was that I couldn’t fight,” he said. “I love what I do — love to fight — and to be prevented from doing what I like was very difficult for me. Now it’s back giving my best and showing what I know."

When Silva last fought, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua was still the light heavyweight king. Since then, Jones defeated Rua at UFC 128 and has emerged as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport today. Now, Jones will defend his belt for the third time against Rashad Evans, a man who defeated Silva via unanimous decision in 2010.

"For me, Jon Jones is the guy to beat in the weight division. Rashad is a great fighter, but I don’t particularly like his style. I think he is limited and lacks the technique of Jones. He (Jones) will keep the belt,” Silva said.

With only one win in his last four appearances, Silva will return to the Octagon hungry for the taste of victory. He hopes to entertain his supporters in the process.

"I would like to send a hug to all my fans in Brazil,” Silva said. “Thank you for trusting in my return. You can be assured that I will do everything to give a great show."

Source: Sherdog.com, By Gleidson Venga (Mar 13, 2012)

In his last appearance, UFC light heavyweight fighter Thiago Silva put a thorough beating onBrandon Vera en route to a clear unanimous decision victory. Following the bout, it was revealed that Silva had attempted to pass of fake urine as his own in order to mask the performance enhancing drugs he’d taken ahead of his UFC 125 bout with Vera.

The matchup didn’t stay intact for long though, as Vera was injured and forced to withdraw from the bout. Igor Pokrajac stepped up in Vera’s place, but then Silva was called up to replace an injured Antonio Rogerio Nogueira against Alexander Gustafsson, which leaves us where we are now.

"For me there is not much to change, but I actually wanted to get Brandon Vera because he talked a lot of nonsense," Silva said. "He took a beating like a little girl and was crying afterwards. I think [this time] he broke a nail, so he couldn’t fight. They offered the Croation [Prokrajac], then Nogueira was hurt — I don’t choose my opponents, so I accepted [the fight with Gustafsson]. I’m happy to be in the main fight of the night, and I will show why I should be there."

Silva and Gustafsson will meet in the main event of UFC on FuelTV 2, which is scheduled to take place on April 14 from the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.