Ultimate Fighting Championship

Anderson Silva officially out of UFC 212 in Brazil

Published May. 11, 2017 2:45 p.m. ET

Damon Martin

Former middleweight champion Anderson Silva has officially been pulled from UFC 212 in Brazil on June 3.

Silva was expected to face former "Ultimate Fighter" winner Kelvin Gastelum on the card, but Gastelum was yanked from the matchup after he returned a positive drug test for marijuana following his last bout against Vitor Belfort in March.

Silva had previously announced earlier this week that he was bringing his training camp to an end with no new opponent on the horizon for the upcoming show in Rio de Janeiro.

UFC officials confirmed on Thursday that Silva will not stay on the card after no deal could be reached to find him a new opponent.

"Following the April 6 removal of Kelvin Gastelum from his UFC 212 bout against Anderson Silva, UFC officials attempted to find a replacement to meet Silva on June 3. However, an opponent was not secured to face the former middleweight champion on short notice, prompting his removal from the card at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil," UFC officials wrote in a statement on Thursday.

Silva last competed at UFC 208 in February where he earned a decision victory over Derek Brunson.

There's no word yet on when Silva will fight again, although he had recently threatened that without an interim title on the line for his next bout, he may consider retirement.

UFC president Dana White quickly shot down that idea by saying no interim title would be introduced in the middleweight division.

It's unclear at this time when or if Silva will be booked for his next matchup.

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