Wanderlei Silva linked to pro wrestling event in Japan

While talk persists of Wanderlei Silva and rival Chael Sonnen potentially joining the WWE, the 38-year-old Brazilian has been linked to a professional wrestling event in Japan.

Silva, who made a name for himself in Japan under the Pride FC banner in the early 2000s, could face UFC alum Phil Baroni on a Feb. 20 card with the Inoki Genome Federation in Tokyo, according to Dave Meltzer or MMAFighting.com.

While nothing has been confirmed, Silva would need to receive permission from the UFC since he's still under contract with the promotion he left behind last year.