IGOR POKRAJAC REPLACES BRANDON VERA, TAKES ON THIAGO SILVA
By Joe Lebeau on 2/7/2012 4:12 PM
Although not officially announced by the UFC, Thiago Silva appears to have a new opponent for his May bout on UFC on FX 3. Stepping up to the plate is Croatian fighter Igor Pokrajac.
Pokrajac (24-8) most recently knocked out Krzysztof Soszynski at UFC 140 in December in 35 seconds. Including that win, "The Duke" is 3-3 in the UFC.
Silva (14-2 1NC) most recently appeared in January 2011, defeating Brandon Vera at UFC 125. After defeating Vera by unanimous decision, Silva was rumored to face Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, before he was suspended for one year, and fined $33,750 by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for tampering with his urine sample from the Vera bout. The result of that bout was then changed to a no contest. He was set to have a rematch with Vera at the May event, but Vera was not medically cleared and had to pull out of the bout. This bout marks Silva's return to active competition since that January 1st bout.
UFC on FX 3 takes place May 15th in Fairfax, Virginia, and includes a middleweight bout between Tom Lawlor and Jason MacDonald.
