That’s right, UFC middleweight ‘The Phenom’ Vitor Belfort (20-9) says there are plans in the works to pit him against Sanshou stylist, and former Strikeforce champ, Cung Le (7-1) in San Jose at the upcoming UFC 139 event.
Belfort posted the news on his personal website @VitorBelfort.com early Saturday morning.
Le has been campaigning very hard for a chance to fight in front of his hometown crowd in San Jose after the UFC announced their first trip to the city earlier this year. Le, who was under contract with Strikeforce and Showtime, has apparently worked things out and will make his Octagon debut this fall.
UFC 139 is scheduled to take place on November 19 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.
Belfort is coming off a knockout victory over Japanese star Yoshihiro Akiyama last month at UFC 133. The win rebounded ‘The Phenom’ from a middleweight title loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 126 after ‘The Spider’ landed a memorable front kick KO to his fellow Brazilian. That defeat ended a five fight win streak which saw Belfort fight for the UFC, Affliction, and the Cage Rage promotions.
Le hasn’t fought since June of 2010, where he earned a knockout win in his rematch against Scott Smith at the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum event. In the meantime, the Sanshou champ has been busy acting in several films two of which are scheduled for release later this year, The Man with the Iron Fists and Dragon Eyes. All of Le’s professional mma fights have taken place in San Jose.