SAO PAULO -- Wanderlei Silva would have been one of the guest fighters at The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 Finale fight week in Sao Paulo, Brazil, but the UFC decided to cancel his appearance.

"The Axe Murderer" was expected to host a Q&A session before the official weigh-ins on Friday afternoon at the Ibirapuera gymnasium alongside with UFC reporter Paula Sack, but UFC officials told MMAFighting.com on Thursday that he will be replaced by former champion Mauricio Rua.

Silva was scheduled to face long-time rival Chael Sonnen at UFC 175 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 5, but was forced out of the fight due to issues with Nevada State Athletic Commission. Vitor Belfort will replace Silva against Sonnen at the card.