Reports: Anderson Silva vs. Kelvin Gastelum targeted for UFC Fight Night in Shanghai

It didn’t happen in Rio de Janeiro or New York, but it seems Kelvin Gastelum will finally get to add another chapter to his legend-hunting mission against former UFC champion Anderson Silva.

According to multiple reports, the middleweights have agreed to meet in the headliner of the UFC’s debut in mainland China, set to take place at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai on Nov. 25.

FloCombat.com first reported the news.

The middleweights were originally set to meet at UFC 212 in Rio de Janeiro, but Gastelum (14-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) had to be pulled from the bout after testing positive for marijuana metabolites in a test stemming from a previous bout with Vitor Belfort. A suitable replacement couldn’t be found for Silva  (34-8 MMA, 17-4 UFC), who ended up out of the card altogether.

Gastelum then suggested a meeting in Long Island, New York, which hosted UFC on FOX 25 on July 22. Gastelum got the date but ended up meeting another ex-champ in Chris Weidman. Gastelum suffered a third-round submission, which also meant his first loss since a split decision to Neil Magny in 2015.

This will be Silva’s first octagon outing since February, when a close decision win over Derek Brunson at UFC 208 snapped a two-fight losing skid. Silva, who had a decision victory over Nick Diaz at UFC 183 later overturned after both fighters failed doping tests, hadn’t had an official UFC win since 2012.

Before his title-costing loss to Weidman, however, the record-breaking former champion was on a 17-fight victorious run. Silva is still widely considered one of the best to ever grace the octagon.

For more on UFC Fight Night in Shanghai, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.