Silva scored a late submission win when the pair first met at UFC 117, but Sonnen dominated the Brazilian for five rounds before succumbing to a guillotine choke in the closing minutes.

Now the pair are set to lock horns again at the Joao Havelange Stadium in Rio, and White believes that the organisation can attract a capacity crowd capable of usurping the biggest-ever event in UFC history - the 55,724 sell-out at Toronto's Rogers Centre at UFC 129.

"This will be the biggest sporting event of the year," White told UFC.com. "Bigger than the NFL, the NBA, you name it - UFC 147 will be the biggest.

"The whole world wants to see this fight between Silva and Sonnen. We (will) broadcast in over 150 countries in 22 languages in half a billion homes.

"Wherever those fans are, they are going to be watching this fight."

Home favourite

Brazilian star Silva will no doubt receive a rapturous reception and he has been installed as the 4/11 favourite with Sky Bet to retain his crown.

Sonnen is available at 9/4 and earned another shot at Silva by defeating Michael Bisping in a title eliminator.

Meanwhile, Silva has not fought since defending his title against Yushin Okami at UFC 134 in Rio last August.

Elsewhere on the card, Ultimate Fighter Brazil coaches Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort will face off in the climax of the reality series.