Alan Belcher – image via UFC.com
With the reshuffling of several upcoming Octagon events following the fall-out of the cancellation of UFC 151, middleweight Alan ‘The Talent’ Belcher (18-6) was left without an opponent for the upcoming UFC 153 card in Rio.
It turns out that Belcher won’t be competing in Brazil anyway due to “a spinal fracture,” and with the new vacancy on the card, UFC officials have moved a light heavyweight rematch between Phil ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Davis (9-1, 1NC) vs. Wagner Prado (8-0, 1NC) to the October card.
Belcher announced the news on Twitter (@alanbelcherufc) on Friday, stating that he’d like a shot at Chris Weidman “or another top 5″ middleweight once he’s healed up.
– Everyone’s asking if I am mad at @Ufc @jonnybones @vitorbelfort answer is no. this is a blessing in disguise. I have a spinal fracture.
– With that being said and with much respect I’d like @Chrisweidmanufc or another top 5 on my return in November. Thx for all the support
UFC officials also announced the Davis vs. Prado event change on Friday.
UFC 153: Aldo vs. Koch is expected to take place on October 13, 2012 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Belcher has won four straight and is 6-1 in his last seven bouts. He earned an impressive first round TKO victory over Rousimar Palhares last May at UFC on FOX 3.
Davis and Prado squared off earlier this month at UFC on FOX 4 on the preliminary card of the television event, and ended in a “No Contest” after ‘Mr. Wonderful’ landed an accidental finger to the eye of Prado in the first round. The cageside physician called an end to the fight despite Prado’s protests.