Anderson Silva vs. Michael Bisping Set to Headline UFC London in February

Christmas came a day early for MMA fans in the United Kingdom.

A fight between former middleweight champion Anderson Silva and British favorite Michael Bisping will headline the UFC's next visit to London, scheduled for February 27.

UFC President Dana White tweeted the announcement Thursday.

"

Anderson Silva vs Michael Bisping is the main event in London on Feb 27 on @UFCFightPass!!! pic.twitter.com/8Ybof2BbMZ

— Dana White (@danawhite) December 24, 2015"

Although both men appear to be past their fighting primes, Silva, 40, and Bisping, 36, are still likely to draw a lot of interest for the UFC Fight Night 83 card, which is scheduled to air entirely on Fight Pass, the UFC's subscription streaming service.

Silva (33-6-1) last fought in January. He won a unanimous decision over Nick Diaz that was later overturned after it was revealed that Silva failed a drug test for performance-enhancing drugs and Diaz failed for marijuana metabolites.

In August, the Nevada State Athletic commission suspended Silva for one year, retroactive to January 31, 2015. 

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Silva dominated the UFC middleweight division for years, at one point defending his title 10 consecutive times. In 2013 he lost his title to Chris Weidman, then lost the rematch by TKO after he suffered a gruesome leg fracture while attempting a leg kick. He missed more than a year of action during recovery, with the Diaz fight being his return to competition. 

Bisping (27-7) has won three of his last four, including both his fights in 2015. The Manchester, England, native, who also does UFC broadcasting work for Fox Sports, is generally considered one of the best fighters in UFC history who has never fought for a UFC title. 

According to UFC public relations vice president Dave Sholler, Bisping's originally scheduled opponent for the event, Gegard Mousasi, will be moved to another card.

"

Looking for new opponent for him. https://t.co/AYCLYHFBtz

— Dave Sholler (@Sholler_UFC) December 24, 2015"

Silva and Bisping are both known for striking-heavy approaches to the game, meaning this fight promises to be action-packed, even if the fight constitutes more of a novelty matchup as opposed to one with immediate implications for the middleweight division title picture.