UFC 147: Silva vs. Franklin II Fight Card Finalized

UFC 147 has undergone a wealth of change since it was first planned.

Initially slated to feature the Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen rematch in a soccer stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the event was then moved to Rio de Janeiro. Then the main event was moved to the UFC 148 fight card in Las Vegas and Vitor Belfort vs. Wanderlei Silva slotted in as the headliner. But then Belfort dropped out due to injury.

UFC 147 is now set for June 23 in the Mineirinho Arena in Belo Horizonte with Wanderlei Silva squaring off with Rich Franklin in the five-round main event. The bout is a rematch of the fight Franklin won three years ago.

“The first fight (at UFC 99) was great, and I think a lot of fans will be expecting another great fight. Wanderlei fought me tooth and claw when we went at it in Germany, and he’ll be even more motivated fighting in front of the Brazilian fans,” said Franklin.

“I think Wanderlei is a different fighter than he was when we fought at UFC 99, and I think I am too. I’m ready for Wanderlei and Brazil.”

UFC officials on Friday confirmed the remainder of the UFC 147 fight card.

The UFC 147 main card on pay-per-view will also feature the featherweight and middleweight finals of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil, the first international edition of the reality series.

The co-main event of the evening pits Fabricio Werdum against Mike Russow in a heavyweight bout.

The main card is topped off by two featherweight bouts. Yuri “Marajó” Alcantara will face-off against Brazilian UFC newcomer Hacran Dias, and Felipe “Sertanejo” Arantes seeks his second octagon win against Miltinho Vieira, who is also making his UFC debut.

All 12 remaining TUF contestants that didn’t make it to the finals will get a taste of the Octagon, facing each other on the six preliminary bouts of the evening.

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