The Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva showdown will be out of the UFC 175 fight card as reports now claim that Sonnen believes "The Axe Murderer" has "ran from the testing."
As initially reported by Brazilian news outfit Combate.com, Wanderlei Silva's failure to apply submit an application to fight in Nevada and being unable to subject himself to random drug testing forced him out of the fight.
In an official statement released by the UFC, Vitor Belfort will be replacing "The Axe Murderer", to salvage the supposed Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva match-up.
"Due to issues related to Wanderlei Silva's licensing in the state of Nevada, the UFC was forced to seek a replacement opponent to face Chael Sonnen at UFC 175 on Saturday, July 5 in Las Vegas," the statement said.
Former UFC champion Vitor Belfort has accepted the fight with Sonnen, subject to Belfort receiving a license to compete from the Nevada Athletic Commission," the statement reads.
While Vitor Belfort's application is still due to undergo a "comprehensive review" by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, it is likely that they will require "The Phenom" to go through supplementary drug testing as a pre-requisite for his license to be reviewed.
In his usual vocal and brash self, Chael Sonnen aired out his reactions regarding the matter. With the supposed grudge match between the two men now off the table, "The American Gangster" believes that his opponent "literally ran from the testing."
"Not only did he fail his test, he refused to take the test, and as you know a refusal is equal in the eyes of the commission to a failure," Sonnen told fellow host Kenny Florian during the taping of their show UFC Tonight. "
"He ran from the test, Kenny, and I don't mean that figuratively, I mean they came to his gym' and he literally ran. He goes out of a side door, they go after him saying his name," he continued.
Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva is now off, with Vitor Belfort stepping in as a replacement for "The Axe Murderer." Chael Sonnen himself is aware of the importance of this new match-up
"Now as for myself, I still will participate in the pay-per-view on July 5, but the stakes are up," Sonnen added. "I am now fighting in a No. 1 contender's match, the winner of my bout will take on the winner of Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida, my opponent will be Vitor Belfort."
