Chris Weidman will defend his middleweight title against Vitor Belfort early next year.
Belfort, who earned a shot at the UFC gold after three straight knockout wins in 2013, confirmed to the Brazilian media Friday that he will be facing Weidman on Feb. 28 in Los Angeles at UFC 184.
“On Feb. 28, I will be stepping inside the cage and winning this belt.” Belfort said. “It’s going to be good, right after Carnival.
“Los Angeles is a great place, the first place I lived when I moved to the United States,” he added. “It was the right place. I’m really happy with this news.”
Belfort, who was granted a license by the Nevada Athletic Commission after promising he wouldn’t fight anywhere but in Nevada, won’t fight there after all.
“The Phenom” and the “All-American” were initially scheduled to meet on Dec. 6 in Las Vegas, but Weidman had to withdraw from the bout with a hand injury. Belfort admits that the champion was “active” in 2014, but once again defends an interim belt.
“He was active this year, but he got hurt twice,” Belfort said. “An interim title keeps the division moving. The only person that wins with it is (the champion) that got hurt. It’s frustrating for everyone – fighters, media and fans – to see that you won’t have a title fight.”
Chris Weidman will defend his middleweight title against Vitor Belfort early next year.
Belfort, who earned a shot at the UFC gold after three straight knockout wins in 2013, confirmed to the Brazilian media Friday that he will be facing Weidman on Feb. 28 in Los Angeles at UFC 184.
“On Feb. 28, I will be stepping inside the cage and winning this belt.” Belfort said. “It’s going to be good, right after Carnival.
“Los Angeles is a great place, the first place I lived when I moved to the United States,” he added. “It was the right place. I’m really happy with this news.”
Belfort, who was granted a license by the Nevada Athletic Commission after promising he wouldn’t fight anywhere but in Nevada, won’t fight there after all.
“The Phenom” and the “All-American” were initially scheduled to meet on Dec. 6 in Las Vegas, but Weidman had to withdraw from the bout with a hand injury. Belfort admits that the champion was “active” in 2014, but once again defends an interim belt.
“He was active this year, but he got hurt twice,” Belfort said. “An interim title keeps the division moving. The only person that wins with it is (the champion) that got hurt. It’s frustrating for everyone – fighters, media and fans – to see that you won’t have a title fight.”