UFC Silva-Sonnen rematch set

Ultimate Fighting Championship officials expect the sport’s largest ever crowd when Anderson Silva of Brazil takes on American rival Chael Sonnen in Rio de Janeiro on June 23.

UFC announced the date and the location for the rematch on Monday, calling it the “biggest fight card in UFC history.”

Officials say the event at the Engenhao Stadium will likely break the record of 55,000 fans at UFC 129 in 2011 in Canada.

UFC president Dana White says “this will be the biggest sporting event of the year. The whole world wants to see this fight.”

Silva, touted as the best pound-for-pound fighter in mixed martial arts, beat Sonnen in 2010 despite being dominated by the American during most of the fight.