MMA Rated has confirmed that UFC middleweight champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva will move up to the 205lb light heavyweight division to fight James Irvin on July 19th for a speacial UFC event dubbed "Ultimate Fight Night 14". The event will air on Spike TV opposite of Affliction's first foray into live events with its pay-per-view offering "Affliction: Banned" featuring a main event between top heavyweights Fedor Emelianenko and Tim Sylvia.
Also, lightweight contenders Hermes Franca and Frankie Edgar will battle it out, a fight originally scheduled for UFC 87 now has been added to the July 19th card. It was originally reported that a main event between Wanderlei Silva and Brandon Vera was possible, but
MMA Junkie is reporting that Silva wasn't physically prepared for the bout. Brandon Vera will still fight on the card and take on UFC newcomer and former IFL vet Reese Andy.
Also scheduled for the event is a heavyweight showdown between Cain Velasquez and recently re-signed Jake O'Brien. Anthony Johnson, coming off an impressive knockout of Tommy Speer will take on Kevin Burns who recently won his UFC debut at UFC 85 against Roan Carneiro with a second round triangle choke.
The event will be held at The Palms Casino Resort and it is expected to be announced on The Ultimate Fighter tonight.
All I can say about this news is "Thank god for DVR"!