Bellator MMA will return to PPV with a blockbuster matchup between Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva set to headline Bellator 180 on June 24th at Madison Square garden in New York City.

Bellator CEO Scott Coker recently informed The Associated Press of his company’s decision to stage a pay-per-view event in the big apple, while simultaneously revealing that the event will be headlined by a grudge match between former UFC standouts Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen.

“We always said that when we come to New York, we’ll bring the biggest and the best fight card we’ve ever had in the history of this company,” Coker told the Associated Press. “We’re putting it together, and our roster is robust enough that we feel like it’s time to get into the pay-per-view business, so here we go.”

Silva and Sonnen were originally scheduled to fight under the UFC banner in 2014 after coaching opposite each other on season 3 of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, but the bout was eventually scrapped after Sonnen failed a drug test and Silva was suspended for avoiding a test altogether.

Sonnen (29-15-1) made his Bellator debut earlier this year after taking a three-year hiatus from the sport, but his return to the cage did not go his way as he lost to Tito Ortiz via first round submission. ‘The American Gangster’ has not won a fight since August of 2103 when he defeated Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua by Guillotine choke in the very first round.

Mean, hile Silva (35-12-1-1) has not competed since March of 2013 when he defeated Brian Stann via second round TKO. He was scheduled to face Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic in the Rizin Fighting Federation’s heavyweight tournament last year, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Stay tuned to MMA Thread for all the latest updates and fight announcements regarding Bellator 180.