UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva makes his return to the Octagon on July 6th at UFC 162 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The long-time pound-for-pound standout defends his 185-pound title against unbeaten challenger “All-American” Chris Weidman in the night’s main event.

Newsday.com first reported details of the fight today. Silva has won all 16 of his UFC fights and most recently stopped “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar in an October bout at 205 pounds. Weidman earned key wins over Demian Maia and “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Mark Munoz in 2012.

Silva (33-4-0) has reigned supreme atop the UFC middleweight division for more than six years. He has finished all but two of his UFC opponents and avenged his most recent loss by stopping Yushin “Thunder” Okami at UFC 134. This past year, Silva settled the score with arch rival Chael Sonnen when he finished Sonnen with strikes in the second round of their UFC 148 rematch. He then moved up in weight to the light heavyweight division and dominated Bonnar en route to a first-round TKO victory at UFC 153.

Weidman (9-0-0) is one of the most talented wrestlers in the middleweight division. The New York native debuted in the UFC with just four pro fights on his record, but he has impressed in all five of his Octagon appearances. In January 2012, Weidman stepped in on mere days’ notice to face jiu-jitsu ace Maia at UFC on FOX 2. Despite a severe weight cut, Weidman walked away with a well-earned Unanimous Decision win. In July, he knocked out top contender Munoz with a vicious elbow and punches in round two of the UFC on Fuel TV 4 main event.

After months of campaigning for the title fight, Weidman will now receive the opportunity to challenge for Silva’s UFC Middleweight Championship in four months’ time.

UFC 162 takes place on July 6th at a venue to be determined in Las Vegas, Nevada.

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)