Thiago Silva Replaces Injured Tyrone Spong, Faces Mike Kyle at WSOF 22

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Tyrone Spong’s return to mixed martial arts will have to wait, as the kickboxing standout has withdrawn from a proposed clash against Mike Kyle at World Series of Fighting 22.

As a result, UFC veteran Thiago Silva will face Kyle at the Aug. 1 event, which takes place at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. MMAFighting.com initially reported that Spong suffered a sprained MCL in training, and WSOF subsequently confirmed the new bout.

Spong also recently withdrew from a title bout with Big Knockout Boxing scheduled for June 27, although the injury that kept him from competing there was not believed to be serious, according to a WSOF official. Spong has not competed inside the cage since a victory over Angel DeAnda at WSOF 4 on Aug. 10, 2013.

Silva made his WSOF debut on March 28, when he suffered a first-round technical knockout loss to Teddy Holder in the semifinals of the promotion’s light heavyweight tournament. Kyle, meanwhile, is looking for his first WSOF victory following losses to Anthony Johnson and Andrei Arlovski in his first two appearances.

WSOF 22 features a pair of title fights, as Rousimar Palhares faces Jake Shields for welterweight gold, while Marlon Moraes defends the bantamweight strap against Sheymon da Silva Moraes.