Ex-UFC champion Anderson Silva has agreed to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in the boxing ring following his departure from the MMA organisation.
Dana White dropped the 45-year-old Brazilian after three consecutive defeats but he has shown no interest in retiring, so has made a switch to boxing.
He will fight 35-year-old Mexican former middleweight champion Chavez in Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 19.
Speaking to TMZ, Silva said: “When I look back at my journey, I see that nothing has been in vain.
“'I am extremely happy for the opportunity to test my boxing skills with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. I train continuously, always striving for resilience and to overcome obstacles. Fighting is my everlasting breath.”
Chavez is keen to fight in order to ameliorate his record of 52-5, and will make more light heavyweight fights if they are offered to him.
“I have rededicated myself to the sport that I love and I will be ready to face anyone in the light-heavyweight division starting with Silva,” he said.
“I will be prepared to be victorious on June 19.”
Silva is a former UFC middleweight champion, holding the belt from 2006 to 2013, and has previously taken part in two boxing matches, against Luiz Teixeira in 1998 and Julio Cesar De Jesus in 2005, with a record of one defeat, and one win by knockout.