An exciting UFC middleweight matchup appears to be all but locked up as former top contender Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort (19-9) and Japanese fighter Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama (13-3, 2NC) have agreed to meet at UFC 133 in August.
ESPN.co.uk revealed the exclusive earlier today after UFC President Dana White revealed the matchup to them.
“Verbal agreements are in for a battle between two of the most exciting fighters in the middleweight division. Coming off three straight Fight of the Night performances, Yoshihiro Akiyama will take on former UFC light-heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort in Philadelphia.”
UFC 133 is expected to take place on August 6 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Belfort is coming off a UFC middleweight title loss to Anderson Silva in February. “The Phenom” was knocked out at UFC 126 after “The Spider” landed a surprising front kick, sending his opponent to the mat. The loss ended a five fight win streak, only one of which was in the UFC, a TKO win over Rich Franklin at UFC 103 in September of 2009. Belfort, the former UFC light heavyweight champ, had a nine fight hiatus from the top promotion, going 6-3 meeting such opponents as Alistair Overeem, Dan Henderson, and Matt Lindland.
This will mark the return of “Sexyama” since a loss unanimous decision loss to Michael Bisping at UFC 120 last fall. The popular Japanese fighter had been scheduled to face Chael Sonnen at UFC 128, but was scrapped due to Sonnen’s suspension. He was then given Nate Marquardt as a new opponent on the same card, but due to the earthquake, and subsequent tsunami that devastated Japan, Akiyama pulled himself off the card. He enters the bout with Belfort on a two fight losing streak, going 1-2 with the UFC, but has won three straight “Fight of the Night” bonuses for his performance in the octagon.