The long-awaited rematch between top welterweight contenders Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves is now official as the co-main event of UFC 117 in Oakland. UFC officials made the announcement yesterday.
UFC 117 is headlined by a middleweight title grudge match between Anderson Silva and rising challenger Chael Sonnen. Sonnen has been extremely vocal regarding Silva in recent months, making the title bout one of the most anticipated UFC bouts of the summer.
Alves and Fitch were originally supposed to rematch at UFC 111, but Alves was suspended two days before the fight due to a failed medical exam. Fitch instead faced (and defeated) Ben Saunders, while Alves was forced to wait for medical clearance. He received the official clearance last month.
UFC 117 is shaping up to be one of the bigger UFC events of the summer. The event will also feature a heavyweight clash (first reported by Heavy.com in March) between Roy Nelson and Junior dos Santos. The winner of that bout is expected to be next in line — after Cain Velasquez, the current top contender — for a heavyweight title shot in early 2011.
The pay per view card for UFC 117 now includes:
– Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
– Thiago Alves vs. Jon Fitch
– Rafael dos Anjos vs. Clay Guida
– Ricardo Almeida vs. Matt Hughes
– Junior dos Santos vs. Roy Nelson
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