Dana White Confirms Lombard vs. Stann and Shogun vs. Silva

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Former Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard has his first opponent in the UFC, and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua knows his next foe as well.
UFC president Dana White on Sunday took Twitter on Sunday, fielding questions from fans, and confirmed that Lombard will make his Octagon debut against Brian Stann, while Shogun will next square off with Thiago Silva.
White refrained from saying when or where either fight would take place. It appears, however, that Lombard vs. Stann is likely for UFC on Fox 4, while Shogun vs. Silva could take place at UFC 149 in Calgary, according reports by MMAJunkie.com.
Lombard is one of the most highly anticipated UFC debutants in quite some time. The 34-year-old has long been considered one of the best middleweight outside of the Octagon, but now he’ll get the opportunity to prove just how good he is in the Octagon.
He hasn’t lost a fight in nearly six years, riding a 20-fight winning streak to a 31-2-1 overall record.
Lombard hasn’t drawn an easy first fight. Stann (12-4) has lost only to No. 1 contender Chael Sonnen since dropping to middleweight, where he currently holds a 4-1 record.
Shogun (20-6) has made a pattern of alternating wins and losses recently, and is coming into the fight with Silva on the heels of dropping a unanimous decision to Dan Henderson at UFC 139.
Silva (14-3) just returned from a one-year suspension for providing a fake sample for his drug test following a fight with Brandon Vera at UFC 125. He lost in the main event of UFC on Fuel TV 2 to Alexander Gustafsson, when the two squared off in Sweden.

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Looks like Fistk will be getting his wish!

Great fight!

Really love both fights! Should be awesome!

OH SHIIITTT!!!

Berserk wrote:

Really love both fights! Should be awesome!

This 100%

War Shogun and War Stann!!!!!

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Big Brazilian brawl? Yes, please.

UFC President Dana White has been answering fan questions on Twitter and, as usual, he's dropped a few interesting nuggets worth passing along. The most noteworthy of which is the fact that when Mauricio Rua returns to the Octagon, he will do so against Thiago Silva.

No event, date or location was revealed.

For "Shogun" it will be his first fight back inside the Octagon since dropping a controversial decision to Dan Henderson back at UFC 139 in Nov. 2011 in San Jose, California. That pill seems even more bitter in hindsight now that it's been confirmed "Hendo" will go on to challenge Jon Jones for the light heavyweight championship later this year.

As for Silva, he made his long awaited return to the cage just this past April 14, 2012, in the main event of UFC on FUEL TV 2 against Alexander Gustafsson, a fight that saw him lose via decision after three hard fought rounds.

The Brazilian bomber didn't exactly impress in his return but considering how long he was on the shelf, expectations weren't exactly high. They likely won't be high for this one, either, as the degree of difficulty is actually going up despite his loss.

As stated, no date was announced for this fight to take place but there are plenty of available options. UFC 149 could use another big bout on July 21 in Calgary. UFC 150 is set for Aug. 11 and needs a solid co-main event.

srce

How does Silva keep getting high profile fights?

stock wrote:

How does Silva keep getting high profile fights?

Well Shogun is coming off two losses, so this is just about the kid of fight he should be getting.

Mabe I should have worded my question differently....

How is Silva still getting EMPLOYED by the UFC.
It's been 4 years since his last UFC victory (even if it was against an absolute powerhouse like Antonio Mendes )

Throw in a suspension for banned substances, and will still get a fight on a main card.

Shogun deserves much better. He's NOT coming off two losses. He destroyed Forrest Griffin two fights ago, and his only unavenged losses since the end of 2003 are against the current #1 and #2 fighters in the weight class.

I'd much rather see Shogun against Bader, Davis, Gustafsson, Nogueira. Shit, if they are looking for a record padding fight, why not give him Jackson/Bonner or something.

Thiago Silva has never been able to hold the jock strap of anyone in the top 20 of the LHW division.

Shogun and bonnar would be cool, but i think bonnar could actually win that fight.

stock wrote:

Mabe I should have worded my question differently....

How is Silva still getting EMPLOYED by the UFC.
It's been 4 years since his last UFC victory (even if it was against an absolute powerhouse like Antonio Mendes )

Throw in a suspension for banned substances, and will still get a fight on a main card.

Shogun deserves much better. He's NOT coming off two losses. He destroyed Forrest Griffin two fights ago, and his only unavenged losses since the end of 2003 are against the current #1 and #2 fighters in the weight class.

I'd much rather see Shogun against Bader, Davis, Gustafsson, Nogueira. Shit, if they are looking for a record padding fight, why not give him Jackson/Bonner or something.

Thiago Silva has never been able to hold the jock strap of anyone in the top 20 of the LHW division.

Yeah I can't argue with that. He's definitely in the shitter.

But I still think Shogun gets too much credit and free passes. It seems like he has a spot reserved for him at the top of the division, regardless of how crappy he looks or how badly he loses. He got absolutely handled by Jones in every way imaginable, but sure enough, if he beats Henderson two fights later, he's right back into the #1 contender spot. Now, he's coming off a loss (and you're correct; he hasn't lost two in a row, he's 1-2 in his last 3), but I bet if he beats Thiago Slow-va, he's gonna be one fight away from a title shot again.