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Silva replaces Jon Jones, who was removed from the event Wednesday night after a potential failed out-of-competition drug test administered June 16 by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
UFC president Dana White said Wednesday that the group would try to find a last-minute replacement to fight Cormier, who is the UFC light heavyweight champion. Silva is the former UFC middleweight champ and an MMA icon with a record of 33-7-1.
Without a fight, Cormier would have lost out on a potentially huge pay day. White said Cormier will still get the $500,000 guaranteed purse; the three-round bout will not be a title fight.
