This weekend ! On FOX !

Brandon Vera vs Thiago Silva rematch set for UFC on FX 3 on May 15 in Virginia

This is the long time waited rematch!!

Check my other posts on this bout:

http://www.ufclunatics.com/2012/01/brandon-vera-calls-returning-thiago.html

http://www.ufclunatics.com/2011/10/brandon-vera-calls-thiago-silva-juice.html

Brandon Vera calls returning Thiago Silva

Lets remember what happened after UFC 125.

Silva was expected to face the former light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson on May 28, 2011 at UFC 130, although there were rumors that the fight had been canceled due to injury or failed drug tests from his UFC 125 bout. In a statement with Brazilian MMA site Tatame, Thiago denied that he was injured; "Injured? Me? I’m very healthy. That’s not true and looks like the NSAC did two tests, one was positive and the other negative, I'm calm."

Following this statement, Keith Kizer, the commissioner of the NSAC, confirmed that Thiago Silva’s samples are still undergoing tests; "That’s not accurate. We have gotten only the first sample back. It could be weeks before we find out the results for the second test." The UFC didn't want to take any chances in waiting for the second test for Silva, so they replaced Silva with Matt Hamill.

On March 29, Kizer released the details surrounding the questions about Silva's UFC 125 drug test. He confirmed that the findings, after two different drug testing facilities analyzed his urine sample, were inconsistent with human urine. This suggests that Silva submitted either an altered or substituted specimen for the sample used in the drug test.[7] The Nevada State Athletic Commission will discuss a temporary suspension at a hearing on April 7 as well as the possibility of ruling his most recent victory a no contest.

On March 30 Silva released a statement admitting using a urine adulterant.

“I used a urine adulterant when giving a sample following my fight with Brandon Vera. I did so in an attempt to alter the results of the test and knowingly broke the rules of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. This was a terrible decision on my part for which I will be punished. I am prepared to accept this punishment, learn from it and move on. I apologize to the commission, the UFC, Brandon Vera and the MMA fans. ”

Silva said he doesn't want to make an excuse for his behavior, but he did hope to offer an explanation for his decisions.

"Please do not interpret this as an attempt to justify my actions. I know they were wrong, and I know I made bad decisions... I reinjured my back 45 days before the fight with Brandon Vera. After not fighting for a year, I made the decision to not pull out of the fight. I also decided that the only way I could continue with the fight was to take injections in my back and spine that contained substances prohibited by the Nevada (State) Athletic Commission. I also made the decision to use a product to hide the presence of these substances in a urine test.”

After the hearing, the Nevada State Athletic Commission handed Silva a one-year suspension along with changing his previous win over Brandon Vera at UFC 125 to a no contest, forfeiture of 25 percent of his purse, and $20,000 out of a $55,000 win bonus.

Thiago Silva had served his one-year suspension on the 1st of January 2012 and is now able to fight again.

UFC 137 Opener & Preliminary Card Notes

Bart Palaszewski vs. Tyson Griffin: Vicious KO by Palaszewski in the very first round. After the fight Bart said it was a very emotional bout for him for going on a long road for 10 years.

Donald Cerrone vs. Dennis Siver: A huge win over Siver making him to be in the top 10. Very upsetting loss for Siver. 

Clifford Starks vs. Dustin Jacoby: Impressive performance from Starks though a with a late replacement. Fight was scheduled to be in the main card, then dropped to opener bouts.

Francis Carmont vs. Chris Camozzi: Excellent performance from Carmont. He seemed very strong and his athletism is off the limits. Got serious power in his hands.

Ramsey Nijem vs. Danny Downes: Poor performance from Downes in terms of cardio. He just looked bad. Nijem showed an incredible performance with 2 * 30-25 scores. Expecting to see him very soon!

Brandon Vera vs. Eliot Marshall: Vera got the win he needed though his broken hand. That was a poor game to watch. Both didn't look well.

Brandon Vera calls Thiago Silva a juice monkey and a piece of sh*t

Brandon Vera expecting to face Eliot Marshall @ UFC 137 talked about Thiago Silva in an interview. You may remember, Vera was badly punished against a very powerfull dominating, even taunting Silva. Vera suffered a really badly broken nose. After the fight Vera was released from the UFC with a 0-2 record. Later the fight NSAC(Nevada State Athletic Comission) announced that Silva's test results were positive for steroids. Silva admitted after first denying it According to him, his back was injured, and to come back with the same performance after a long time out of training he took the injections. So he was suspended for a year and Brandon Vera is given a second chance. His expressions are emotional; "I think he was just celebrating, but now that I know that he was a juice monkey, for sure, I think he's a piece of sh**. 

"The whole fight I just kept asking myself, 'What the hell is going on? Why is this?' You know.. I train with Phil Davis, 'Hapa' Travis Browne, the Nogueira brothers and Junior dos Santos. I train with some big dudes, man. "

So we'll see if Vera deserves to continue his career in the UFC. He wants Silva's return after suspension for a rematch. The first bout was changed to NC after testing positive for steroids.