Vitor Belfort Is Out Of UFC 122 Main Event (Updated With Dana White Comments)
Update 2
More from Meltzer:
Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort on Jan. 1 in Las Vegas. Interesting since Silva’s people had claimed he wouldn’t be ready by that date.
Now we know the main event for the New Years show. Looks like Silva’s injury isn’t as bad as they seemed.
Update 1
Per Dana White’s twitter, Belfort wasn’t injured. He’s just scheduled to fight Silva next, so the initial story was incorrect.
Here’s what he said:
Vitor is not injured. He is going to fight anderson for the title and the winner of marquart and okami are next.
Original post:
According to Dave Meltzer via MMA Weekly, Vitor Belfort is out of his match against Yushin Okami, which was to determine the number one contender to Anderson Silva, the UFC middleweight champion.
Instead, Nate Marquardt will take his place.
The middleweight division is in a bit of chaos because of Chael Sonnen’s positive test for elevated testosterone. Marquardt just recently beat Rousimar Palhares at the last Ultimate Fight Night card.
That cannot be a main event
As a TV show over here, it’s not that big of a deal because it’s a Spike show.
Glad we don’t have to suffer another instant rematch.
At least you don’t mind. The UFC probably had a multiple heart attack when Sonnen’s test came up dirty. That was their third money match in the next three/four months. Now, they just make less money.
And if Belfort wins, the eventual Sonnen vs. Silva rematch when Sonnen’s suspension ends doesn’t have near the same cachet.
Now, if Belfort is able to knock out Silva, he’ll be huge. A fight with Sonnen will be decent, but not as big as the rematch.
If Silva beats Belfort, I’m not sure what you do with Belfort. Gatekeeper?