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Light heavyweight slugger Thiago Silva (15-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) may soon be forced out of a planned meeting with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (31-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC) at UFC 130.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has confirmed with multiple sources close to the event that Silva's participation in the May 28 card is in jeopardy, despite the fighter's insistence that all is well on the home front.
However, multiple sources confirmed with MMAjunkie.com that preliminary discussions with Rashad Evans (15-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) to replace Silva are underway, though it's far too early to consider the rematch a done deal.
MMA Weekly.com was the first to report Silva's potential withdrawal, though representatives for both Jackson and Evans could not confirm the change. The reason for Silva's withdrawal also remains unknown.
Featuring a lightweight title rematch between champ Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard, UFC 130 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Despite the reports, Silva today told Brazilian MMA website Tatame that he is "not injured" and "looking forward to fight Rampage."
UFC brass have yet to make an official announcement, and the Jackson vs. Silva matchup is still listed as UFC 130's co-main event on the company's official website.
Of significant potential interest, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has yet to release the drug screens from the night of Silva's most recent fight, a UFC 125 win over Brandon Vera that took place Jan. 1 in Las Vegas.
Nevada State Athletic Commision executive director Keith Kizer confirmed with MMAjunkie.com that the commission is still investigating at least one sample from the event. While Kizer could not confirm whether or not one of those samples belonged to Silva, the NSAC executive did confirm that Silva was among the UFC 125 fighters who submitted a pre-fight screen.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has confirmed with multiple sources close to the event that Silva's participation in the May 28 card is in jeopardy, despite the fighter's insistence that all is well on the home front.
However, multiple sources confirmed with MMAjunkie.com that preliminary discussions with Rashad Evans (15-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) to replace Silva are underway, though it's far too early to consider the rematch a done deal.
MMA Weekly.com was the first to report Silva's potential withdrawal, though representatives for both Jackson and Evans could not confirm the change. The reason for Silva's withdrawal also remains unknown.
Featuring a lightweight title rematch between champ Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard, UFC 130 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Despite the reports, Silva today told Brazilian MMA website Tatame that he is "not injured" and "looking forward to fight Rampage."
UFC brass have yet to make an official announcement, and the Jackson vs. Silva matchup is still listed as UFC 130's co-main event on the company's official website.
Of significant potential interest, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has yet to release the drug screens from the night of Silva's most recent fight, a UFC 125 win over Brandon Vera that took place Jan. 1 in Las Vegas.
Nevada State Athletic Commision executive director Keith Kizer confirmed with MMAjunkie.com that the commission is still investigating at least one sample from the event. While Kizer could not confirm whether or not one of those samples belonged to Silva, the NSAC executive did confirm that Silva was among the UFC 125 fighters who submitted a pre-fight screen.
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