Wanderlei Silva asks to return to UFC 175 in Sonnen's place: 'Wand x Vitor'

Wand (right) and Belfort (left) were rival coaches on TUF Brasil 1. Photo: Disclosure

The story of the fight that originally came face to face Wanderlei Silva e Chael Sonnen It's already quite surprising and full of twists and turns, but if it depends on the Brazilian, the outcome of this narrative will be even more curious. Removed from UFC 175 for refusing to undergo a surprise anti-doping test, Wanderlei used social media to request his return to the card in the vacancy left by Chael Sonnen, also removed from the program – for being caught using illegal substances in a test administered by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

on your profile on Twitter, Wanderlei was direct and published only a direct suggestion. “Wand x Vitor”, wrote the Curitiba native. The message received several responses and replies from fans. The fighter himself reproduced some and tried to respond to the challenges sent, in some cases more harshly, and highlight that he considers the profile as a space “for his own”.

If Ultimate accepts Wanderlei's request, put him back in UFC 175 and promote the fight against Vitor belfort, the duel would be the late completion of the duel between the coaches of the first edition of TUF Brasil. The fight between Wand and Belfort should have taken place in 2012, at UFC 147, but Vitor was injured during the preparation for the confrontation and ended up being replaced at the last minute by the American Rich Franklin at the event, which also hosted the finals of the reality show, in Belo Horizonte (MG).

UFC 175 takes place on July 5th, at Mandalay Bay, in Las Vegas (USA). In the main fight of the night, the North American Chris Weidman puts the middleweight belt on the line against the Brazilian Lyoto Machida. In the co-main fight, the muse Ronda Rousey face the challenger Alexis Davis for the women's bantamweight category belt. After Sonnen's release, the Ultimate organization has not yet officially commented on Sonnen's fate. Vitor belfort, who remains on the card, but without a defined opponent.

Check out the UFC 175 card below:

MAIN CARD

Chris Weidman x Lyoto Machida;

Ronda Rousey x Alexis Davis;

Vitor belfort x Opponent to be defined*;

Alex Caceres x Urijah faber;

Matt Mitrione x Stefan struve.

PRELIMINARY CARD

Uriah Hall x Thiago Marreta;

Chris Camozzi x Bruno Santos;

Guilherme Bomba x Luke Zachrich;

Ildemar Marajó x Kenny Robertson;

Rob font x Opponent to be defined.

*Fight pending Belfort's approval at the NSAC hearing on 17/06.