According to a report by TMZ, 45-year-old MMA legend Anderson Silva has signed a contract to fight 35-year-old former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a boxing match.

The fight will take place on June 19 in Mexico, as part of the card that features an exhibition main event between Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and Hector Camacho Jr.

Silva was released from his UFC contract back in November 2020 following a loss to Uriah Hall -- but he was adamant he wanted to continue his combat sports career elsewhere ... and now, he's making it happen in a boxing ring.

"When I look back at my journey, I see that nothing has been in vain," Silva says ... "I am extremely happy for the opportunity to test my boxing skills with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

"I train continuously, always striving for resilience and to overcome obstacles. Fighting is my everlasting breath."

The event -- titled "Tribute to the Kings" -- will take place at Jalisco Stadium in  Guadalajara and will be available live on pay-per-view.

For years, Silva had pursued a boxing match with Roy Jones Jr. - but the UFC refused to let him box.

Chavez Jr. issued a statement about the fight with Silva - "I have rededicated myself to the sport that I love and I will be ready to face anyone in the light heavyweight division starting with Silva. I will be prepared to be victorious on June 19."

The fight was put together by Keith Schoen of Schoen Entertainment along with Armando Bareno of Global Sports Streaming -- with Jorge Toscano and Saul Rios serving as the official fight promoters.

"This promises to be an epic battle between two superior fighters with a global fan base," Schoen tells TMZ ... "Everyone associated with this pay-per-view promotion and fighting fans around the globe are super enthusiastic to see these two great fighters meet in the ring."

Chavez Jr. is 52-5-1 and coming off a 4th round TKO victory over Jeyson Minda in Nov. 2020.

Silva -- repped by ICM Partners and managed by Talize Sayegh -- is a former UFC middleweight champ. He dabbled in boxing -- he's 1-1 as a pro -- but is widely regarded as one of the best mixed martial artists of all-time.