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Brazil nut

Gastelum's demolition of Belfort earns him a clash with another former champion

Kelvin Gastelum will face Anderson Silva at UFC 212, which will be headlined by Jose Aldo and Max Holloway.

Mexico UFC Gastelum Ellenberger Mixed Martial Arts Kelvin Gastelum AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

KELVIN GASTELUM’S WISH has been granted.

After he took less than four minutes to dispose of ex-UFC light-heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort in Fortaleza on Saturday night, Belfort called out another Brazilian former title-holder — Anderson Silva.

The UFC announced overnight that Gastelum (14-2) will head back to Brazil on 3 June to face Silva (34-8) at UFC 212 in Rio de Janeiro. The card will be headlined by a featherweight title unification bout between reigning champion Jose Aldo and interim title-holder Max Holloway.

A former Ultimate Fighter winner, Gastelum has made his mark after moving up to middleweight due to persistent struggles in making the 171lbs limit at welterweight.

The 25-year-old — whose only two career losses came via split decision against Neil Magny and current welterweight champion Tyron Woodley — stopped Tim Kennedy via third-round TKO back in December before getting the better of Belfort last weekend.

Silva defied his ailing powers last month by overcoming Derek Brunson via unanimous decision. The 41-year-old former middleweight champion still holds the record for the most consecutive UFC title defences (10).

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