A source close to the fighter has confirmed that Thiago Silva will not be taking part in UFC 117. Silva was set to take on Tim Boetsch in a prelim fight, but an undisclosed injury has forced the LightHeavyweight fighter out of the card, with little more than a week to go.


Silva's last fight was against Rashad Evans, and rumours circulated that Silva was laden down with back problems prior to the build up of the UFC 108 main event. While no further information is at present available, no doubt more will come to light as soon as possible.


Eleven-and-one UFC newcomer Todd "The Bulldog" Brown will step in in to take the Brazilian's place. Brown is currently on a 7-fight winning streak, with six submission victories on his record.


Phil Baroni drops out of UFC 118

The "New York Bad Ass" Phil Baroni has officially dropped out of his UFC 118 fight against up and comer John Salter. Baroni, currently 13-12, cited a collarbone injury as his reason for dropping out of the fight. Baroni suffered two losses in his last two fights, against Amir Sodallah and Joe Riggs.


Baroni, on the downslide of a rather unexciting career, shocked many when Dana White brought him back to the UFC, when his record was 13-11.


Salter is 5-1 in his MMA career, his sole loss coming against Gerald Harris.

Source: MMAweekly