The UFC’s return to Japan now has a main event and a featured lightweight bout.
The headline fight will take place in the light heavyweight division as former Pride champion Wanderlei Silva battles American hero Brian Stann.
In addition to the Silva vs. Stann fight, a lightweight bout pitting former Ultimate Fighter winner Diego Sanchez against Takanori Gomi will also take place on the card.
Stann returns to action after a tough decision loss to Michael Bisping in his last fight at UFC 152 in Toronto earlier this year.
The former Marine captain will look to get back on track with a trip to Japan to face one of the most legendary fighters to ever fight there.
For years, Wanderlei Silva ruled Pride Fighting Championships with an iron fist, and did so with some of the most devastating knockouts the sport has ever seen. Now Silva returns to Japan for the first time since 2006 before Pride was bought out by Zuffa and the company disbanded.
Also added to the UFC on Fuel TV 8 fight card is an exciting lightweight bout featuring Diego Sanchez, who returns to lightweight after spending several fights back at 170 pounds. The last time Sanchez fought at 155 pounds, he lost in a world title fight against B.J. Penn, but now with his old team at Jackson’s MMA behind him, he looks to get back into the lightweight title race beginning with his fight in Japan.
Sanchez will face another Pride champion in Takanori Gomi, who looks to make it three wins in a row when he returns to his home country in March.
UFC on Fuel TV 8 takes place at Saitama Super Arena on March 2.
UPDATE: Stann vs. Silva will actually take place at light heavyweight instead of middleweight. Sources stated the fighters agreed to the higher weight class when Silva expressed a desire to fight at 205lbs again.
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