UFC on FX 3 Fight Card: Thiago Silva Returns for Rematch with Brandon Vera

His suspension for attempting to cheat a drug test now expired, light heavyweight contender Thiago Silva will pick up right where he left off.

Early Thursday morning, the UFC announced through its Twitter account that the Brazilian will meet Brandon Vera in a rematch at UFC on FX 3.

After it was discovered that he had submitted false urine samples for his pre-fight drug test for a UFC 125 fight with Vera, Silva was stripped of his dominant victory and banned from competition for one year. Prior to being slapped with the suspension Silva admitted that he had used steroids to recover from injuries.

Initially released from the UFC due to his loss against Silva, Vera was understandably disgusted with the news that Silva had used steroids prior to their fight. 

"Now that I know that he was a juice monkey, for sure, I think he's a piece of s--t," Vera told MMA Fighting after the news broke that Silva had been suspended.

After the fight result was overturned to a no contest, the UFC welcomed Vera back into the organization. Since then, Vera has fought once, defeating Eliot Marshall via decision.

With the wounds still healing from their first meeting, there will undoubtedly be some bad blood between Vera and Silva as this fight rematch nears.

UFC on FX 3 is expected to take place at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va. on May 15.

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, Follow Sean Smith on Twitter