Though UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem is still under suspension until the end of December, and despite assurances he's been given on the next heavyweight title shot, Overeem has reportedly accepted a fight against Antonio Silva. The news comes courtesy of the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Overeem (36-11 1NC) is expected to make his long awaited return to the Octagon on Feb. 2 at UFC 156 according to the report, this following a failed unannounced drug test last spring at a press conference leading up to what would have been a title shot against Junior dos Santos at UFC 146.

The former Strikeforce heavyweight champ tested positive for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio, indicative of steroid use, and was ultimately suspended from competition for 9-months.

His return to the cage comes over a year after his impressive demolition of former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 in his UFC debut.

Silva (17-4) recently snapped a two-fight losing skid, dispatching of highly regarded prospect Travis Browne early last month. Browne injured his hamstring early in the fight and Silva was able to capitalize and eventually stop the former undefeated fighter via TKO (strikes) in the first round. 

Before that Silva suffered back-to-back first round (T)KO losses to AKA teammates Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez.

UFC 156 is slated to go down Super Bowl weekend at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card will be headlined by a featherweight title fight between champion Jose Aldo and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.

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