Black Widow
08-03-2009, 01:16 PM
Vitor Belfort will return to the UFC in a 195-pound bout against Rich Franklin at UFC 103 on Sept. 19 in Dallas, the promotion announced today.
Franklin (25-4) was originally announced to face former PRIDE middleweight and light-heavyweight titleholder Dan Henderson (25-7) at the event but due to the lack of interest in the rematch from UFC 93, the UFC shuffled the main event.
"The fans didn't like it, so we're going to change it," UFC president Dana White said Friday.
Belfort (18-8), coming off knockout wins at Affliction over Terry Martin and Matt Lindland, is one of the many Affliction "Trilogy" competitors picked up by the UFC following the cancellation of the Aug. 1 event. Belfort's return to light-heavyweight is a little curious considering his supposed desire to build his career at 185 pounds and White's interest in Belfort as a possible challenger to Anderson Silva's middleweight title.
Henderson, meanwhile, will sit in the sidelines as he awaits a title shot against Silva.
Current UFC 103 Fight Card:
- Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort
- Mike Swick vs. Martin Kampmann
- Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller
- Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg
- Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca
- Drew McFedries vs. Tomasz Drwal
mmafighting.com
Franklin (25-4) was originally announced to face former PRIDE middleweight and light-heavyweight titleholder Dan Henderson (25-7) at the event but due to the lack of interest in the rematch from UFC 93, the UFC shuffled the main event.
"The fans didn't like it, so we're going to change it," UFC president Dana White said Friday.
Belfort (18-8), coming off knockout wins at Affliction over Terry Martin and Matt Lindland, is one of the many Affliction "Trilogy" competitors picked up by the UFC following the cancellation of the Aug. 1 event. Belfort's return to light-heavyweight is a little curious considering his supposed desire to build his career at 185 pounds and White's interest in Belfort as a possible challenger to Anderson Silva's middleweight title.
Henderson, meanwhile, will sit in the sidelines as he awaits a title shot against Silva.
Current UFC 103 Fight Card:
- Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort
- Mike Swick vs. Martin Kampmann
- Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller
- Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg
- Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca
- Drew McFedries vs. Tomasz Drwal
mmafighting.com