There's significant a light heavyweight showdown in the works between Rashad Evans (11-0-1) and Thiago Silva (12-0) that could go down during the pay-per-view (PPV) event slated for May 24 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at UFC 84.
If the fight takes place it will feature two of the top contenders in the crowded 205-pound division, as well as ensure that one of the combatants leaves the Octagon with the first loss on his record and the other remains undefeated with serious designs on an eventual title shot.
Evans -- the heavyweight winner on season two of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) -- most recently dispatched of Michael Bisping via split decision at UFC 78: "Validation" in November 2007. He holds UFC wins over Sam Hoger, Stephan Bonnar, Jason Lambert and Sean Salmon, as well as a draw against Tito Ortiz.
The ChuteBoxe-trained Silva has been perfect (3-0) since his Octagon debut, finishing all three of his opponents in impressive fashion (sans James Irvin). The Brazilian stunned a few folks with his technical knockout of Houston Alexander at UFC 78.
However, the win came as no surprise for those who have followed the career of Silva -- he's a very dangerous fighter.
This is a solid match up that will certainly help determine somewhat of a pecking order in the light heavyweight division. Title shots in this weight class will be few and far between in 2008, however, because of the participation of Rampage Jackson and Forrest Griffin on the upcoming season of TUF 7 that is set to debut in April.
UFC 84 will also likely feature the lightweight championship bout between the winner of BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson against top contender, Sean Sherk.
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