The former M-1 Global middleweight champion was scheduled to face Claudio Silva in a welterweight bout Sept. 15 in Russia, but the Brazilian was forced out of the card with a lower back injury, sources told MMA Fighting.
Silva won’t need surgery and is targeting a December return to the Octagon, sources said.
The 35-year-old was sidelined for almost four years as he battled injuries following a decision win over Leon Edwards in 2014. He finally returned to action in May, tapping Nordine Taleb in the first round and scoring his 12th straight victory to improve to 3-0 in the UFC.