(EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated at 3:20 p.m. ET on Dec. 27 to clarify that Silva vs. Gozali will serve as a grappling match rather than an MMA bout)
In the midst of a massive losing streak, Antonio Silva is back for another contest.
The former UFC title challenger has booked a return against ex-Bellator fighter Haim Gozali in a grappling match at a Brave CF event on March 9 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Both fighters confirmed the matchup online, but the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Neither competitor revealed details of the grappling match. Silva (19-14 MMA) has competed all his career at heavyweight, and Gozali (15-6 MMA) has been fighting at welterweight and most recently middleweight, so there should be a significant size disparity.
Silva hasn’t won a fight since stopping Soa Palelei at UFC 190 in 2015. The Brazilian has competed 10 times since – six in MMA and once each in kickboxing, boxing, and bareknuckle boxing – and has lost all 10 bouts by stoppage. The 43-year-old is 1-12 in his past 13 combat sports competitions.
Gozali, 49, on the other hand, has not suffered a loss since his Bellator career came to an end when he dropped a decision to Ryan Couture at Bellator 209 in 2018. Gozali has won seven consecutive MMA bouts by submission and one bare-knuckle boxing bout by stoppage under the BKFC banner in 2021.
