Anderson Silva is about to make the jump.
The UFC middleweight champion has accepted an invitation to move up to the light heavyweight division for a bout with James Irvin (Pictures) at an impromptu UFC event July 19 in Las Vegas. Heavyweight prospect Brandon Vera (Pictures) has also agreed to make a move in the opposite direction -- he'll face former International Fight League rep Reese Andy (Pictures) in a co-featured bout at 205 pounds, multiple sources have confirmed to Sherdog.com.
The event, which is being assembled on five weeks' notice, will air live on Spike TV the same night that Affliction Entertainment hosts its first pay-per-view card, "Banned," at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Silva will not vacate his 185-pound title and is expected to return to the division he has dominated handily to defend his crown. The Brazilian, known as "The Spider" for his long limbs and athletic prowess, could continue to fight in both weight classes in the future though.
Silva silenced many critics at UFC 82 on March 1 in Columbus, Ohio, when he tagged Pride middleweight champion Dan Henderson (Pictures) with strikes, then finished the Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler with a rear-naked choke late in the second round. The victory unified the two world titles.
Silva, 33, tore his way through the UFC's middleweight ranks, notching victories over Travis Lutter (Pictures), Nate Marquardt, Henderson and former champion Rich Franklin (Pictures) on two occasions.
His bout with Irvin will mark Silva's second appearance on cable television since his 49-second destruction of "The Ultimate Fighter" alumnus Chris Leben (Pictures) at Ultimate Fight Night 5 in June 2006.
Irvin cleared his path to Silva when he knocked out Houston Alexander (Pictures) at UFC Fight Night 13 last April. The native of Sacramento, Calif., was slated to face "The Ultimate Fighter 2" winner Rashad Evans (Pictures) at UFC 85 in London but was replaced after he broke his foot in preparation. Irvin has recently returned to a full training schedule.
The multifaceted Vera will have only a six-week turnaround for his bout with Andy following a controversial first-round stoppage loss to Fabricio Werdum (Pictures) at UFC 85 on June 7 in London. After a promising four-fight win streak in the Octagon, Vera dropped a three-round decision to former heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia (Pictures) at UFC 77 last October. Vera sustained a broken hand in the bout.
A resident of Seattle, Andy posted five victories in six fights for the IFL, rotating between light heavyweight and heavyweight for the Tiger Sharks team. Andy holds notable wins over Mike Ciesnolevicz (Pictures), Jamal Patterson (Pictures) and Krzysztof Soszynski (Pictures), whom he edged out via a split decision in his last appearance in June 2007.
