Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen boxing match booked for June 15 in Brazil

Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will return to the boxing ring on June 15 in São Paulo, Brazil against a fellow UFC Hall of Famer.  

Silva and Chael Sonnen announced their boxing match via social media on Sunday.  

Anderson, I’ll see you June 15th…#Advertisement @spiderandersonsilva @spaten_br #BebaComModeração #SpatenFightNight #UltimaLutaSpider #EstiloForteSpaten pic.twitter.com/PUZ1AGAm3Z

— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) May 20, 2024

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The bout will be a professional boxing match and will consist of five, two-minute rounds.  The match will take place at 216 pounds.  

Silva retired from mixed martial arts in 2020 to pursue other interests, including boxing.  In March 2021, Silva fought former WBC middleweight champion César Chávez Jr. and won via split decision.  In September of 2021, Silva knocked out former UFC light heavyweight titleholder Tito Ortiz in 82 seconds.  In October 2022, Silva last stepped into the boxing rind, losing to Jake Paul via unanimous decision.  It was the last time Silva competed in combat sports.    

The bout will Sonnen’s professional boxing debut.  He and Silva fought twice while in the UFC.  Silva won both matches.  Their first fight at UFC 117 in August 2010 will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame fight wing this July.  Sonnen last fought MMA in June 2019 under the Bellator banner.