Former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva has been left without an opponent for UFC 212 after Kelvin Gastelum was pulled from the fight for a potential failed drug test.
According to a report filed by Combate, a catchweight fight (195 pounds) is in the works for UFC 212 as Silva would face Ovince St. Preux.
Silva (34-8-0-1NC) has won just one of his last six under the UFC banner, with that lone victory coming over Derek Brunson at UFC 208. Silva is also the former UFC Middleweight Champion, defeating Rich Franklin to win the title at UFC 64 in October 2006 before losing it to Chris Weidman at UFC 162 in July 2013. Silva recently snapped a losing streak that lasted over three years, dropping fights to Chris Weidman (twice), Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier, while fighting Nick Diaz to a no contest.
St. Preux (20-10-0) has only won just one of his last four fights, with that lone win coming over Marcos Rogerio De Lima at UFC Fight Night 108. St. Preux has defeated a Brazilian fighter in three of his last four victories, the Brazilians he defeated are Mauricio Rua, Rafael Cavalcante and Marcos Rogerio De Lima. St. Preux would also be competing in Brazil for the first time in two-plus years, with his last fight in the country coming at UFC Fight Night 56.
UFC 212 takes place on Saturday, June 3 from the HSBC Arena in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil with Jose Aldo and Max Holloway headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
