ProElite.com (SamCaplan.ProElite.com) was informed by EliteXC officials Friday afternoon that Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and Murilo “Ninja” Rua have signed long-term extensions with the promotion.

Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

The signing of Silva comes in light of a report in this week’s print edition of The Wrestling Observer newsletter in which it was claimed UFC Vice President of Talent Relations Joe Silva said during a Q&A session prior to UFC 78 that Silva had two remaining fights on his existing EliteXC contract. According to the report, he added that the UFC would have interest when Antonio Silva became available.

Silva returned to action following an eight month layoff during EliteXC’s most recent show in November. He improved his record to 9-1 following a first round submission via rear naked choke against Jonathan Wiezorek.

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