There’s still no official word on Thiago Silva’s UFC 125 drug test from the NSAC. Silva told Tatame yesterday that one of his samples tested positive, but the other was negative. It’s unclear at this point what that means for him, but according to Heavy.com, he has been pulled off the UFC 130 card. Early reports stated that Rashad Evans would step in, setting up a rematch from last year’s grudge match, however Heavy reports that Matt Hamill, not Evans, has been chosen to replace Silva.

Thiago Silva has been pulled from his UFC 130 bout with Rampage Jackson for undisclosed reasons, and fellow light heavyweight Matt Hamill has been contacted to take his place.

Sources close to the fight informed Heavy.com of the potential change on Friday afternoon. Verbal agreements are in place for the bout.

Rashad Evans had been mentioned as a replacement for Silva, but one source told Heavy that Evans was never seriously considered for the fight and that he’ll wait to see who wins between Jon Jones and Shogun Rua before deciding his next move.Heavy also notes that the Matt Hamill vs. Phil Davis fight was pulled from the UFC 129 card last night on the UFC’s website.

Major bummer if true. No offense to Matt Hamill, but Rampage vs. Hamill just doesn’t compare to Rampage vs. Rashad II, or Rampage vs. Thiago Silva for that matter.

Image via Sherdog

Update: MMA Fighting has confirmed Heavy.com’s report with Hamill’s manager who claims Hamill has signed the bout agreement.

The news of the signing was reported Friday by Heavy.com. Hamill’s head coach, Duff Holmes, confirmed the news to MMA Fighting and said Hamill had signed the bout agreement earlier in the day.

Sounds like this is a done deal assuming Rampage has agreed to it.