"THE PHENOM" VITOR BELFORT SIGNED FOR UFC 103 MAIN EVENT TO FIGHT RICH "ACE" FRANKLIN IN DALLAS ON SEPTEMBER 19
Dana White confirmed today that Vitor Belfort (18-8) has been acquired from the fallout of Affliction MMA and will replace Dan Henderson against Rich Franklin (25-4) in the main event of UFC 103 from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 19.
White cited fan apathy towards the original main event between Franklin and Henderson as a catalyst for the change. “The Phenom” has agreed to meet “Ace” at a catchweight of 195 pounds — despite rejecting a recent Affliction fight against Gegard Mousasi because it was outside of his new home at 185-pounds.
Dan Henderson will now be granted a rematch with Anderson Silva with a timetable pending the results of “The Spider’s” Aug. 8 fight against Forrest Griffin.
Company president Dana White made a surprise announcement during “Inside the Octagon” back on June 20 that he was interested in bringing Vitor back under contract to possibly face Anderson Silva.
It was a bit strange because Belfort was booked to battle Sengoku Middleweight Grand Prix winner Jorge Santiago at Affliction 3: “Trilogy” on Aug.1, 2009, but White seemed confident that the Brazilian would return to the eight-sided cage for a third tour of duty after he satisfied his commitment to the “tee-shirt guys.”
That commitment ended sooner rather than later.
Belfort has indeed looked fantastic since he made the decision to shed 20 more pounds and compete at 185 pounds.
He iced Terry Martin in the second round at Affliction: “Banned” with a nice combination that was set up by a flying knee. He followed up that performance at “Day of Reckoning,” pulverizing Matt Lindland with a brutal first round blitzkrieg, landing six of seven strikes en route to a scary-looking knockout.
Whether or not a move back up in weight will affect that recent success remains to be seen — though he may have little margin for error against the former Middleweight Champ.
Franklin scored a big win over the always dangerous Wanderlei Silva at UFC 99: “The Comeback” via unanimous decision back in June at a catchweight of 195 pounds. It was the third win in the last four attempts for the Cincinnati, Ohio, native, solidifying his position as a serious, and capable, light heavyweight contender.
It’s going to be a ridiculous main event between two established veterans — don’t even think about missing this one.
Recently confirmed for UFC 103 is the Heavyweight tilt between former Pride FC superstar Mirko Cro Cop and surging heavyweight prospect Junior Dos Santos. In addition, Martin Kampmann and Mike Swick will collide to determine the number one contender for Georges St. Pierre’s 170-pound title.
credit: MMAMania.com
Sta venendo su una bella card anche UFC 103. Belfort vs. Franklin mi sembra molto più interessante di Franklin vs. Hendo.