V. Belfort (photo) comes from three consecutive knockout victories in the UFC. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
After being removed from contention for the middleweight belt due to changes in the regulation of Testosterone Replacement Treatment (TRT) earlier this year, Vitor belfort is very close to regaining its title challenger status. The Brazilian was named by UFC president Dana White as the champion's next opponent Chris Weidman. However, the director stated that confirmation of the duel depends solely on Vitor – who needs to obtain a license to fight, but may encounter difficulties in his request after having presented high testosterone levels in a recent test.
“Weidman won Anderson Silva twice, he defeated Machida and now he wants to face Vitor belfort? This is the fight that must happen. The champion wants this fight, he wants it and so do the fans. Now it’s just a matter of Vitor getting the license”, said Dana in a statement published by the “The Download” column on the UFC’s official website. Furthermore, the president also spoke about champion Weidman and the way he beat another Brazilian, Lyoto Machida, at UFC 175.
“That fight lasted five rounds. Machida has that style based on dodging. He (Weidman) caught Anderson, but didn't do the same with Machida and couldn't knock him out. I wanted to see how Weidman would be able to cut the angles and if he would be able to get to Machida and he did that from the first round. He hunted him down inside and hurt him with every blow he landed in the first round. This kid has never fought for five rounds and was tough enough to do it,” White highlighted.
At 37, Vitor belfort has a professional record of 24 wins and ten losses. The “Phenomenon”, as he is known, has not fought since November last year, when he knocked out the veteran Dan Henderson at UFC Goiânia. Already Chris Weidman, 30 years old, is undefeated as a professional in his 12 fights. The middleweight champion won the title by winning Anderson Silva, whom he also beat again in a rematch, and is coming off a victory over Lyoto Machida. Belfort and Weidman were scheduled to face each other at UFC 173, in May, but the duel ended up being canceled due to changes in TRT regulations.
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