July 19th has now become a crowded night in mixed martial arts. Aside from the scheduled premiere card from Affliction at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, the UFC has announced a fight card that same evening which will air live on Spike TV.

The main event for the UFC’s card will feature pound-for-pound juggernaut Anderson “The Spider” Silva against James “Sandman” Irvin in the UFC middleweight champion’s debut fight at 205 pounds.

Irvin was originally scheduled to fight Rashad Evans at UFC 85 in London, England on June 7th. However, he sustained a broken foot while training and had to withdraw. His last fight was in April against Houston Alexander at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 13.

Anderson Silva last saw action in the octagon in March against Dan Henderson for his middleweight title. Silva won the bout via submission in the second round.

The move up in weight will not force the middleweight champion to vacate his title.

Brandon Vera is coming off a controversial stoppage loss against Fabricio Werdum at UFC 85. July 19th will prove to be a date in which he can redeem his last performance.

Vera will face former IFL heavyweight and light heavyweight fighter Reese Andy. He himself has amassed an impressive 5 – 1 record in the turbulent fight promotion. He fought in both weight classes and picked up wins against Jamal Patterson, Mike Ciesnolevicz, and Krzysztof Soszynski, which was his last bout just over a year ago.

Further bouts for the fight card have yet to be announced.

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