The details surrounding the blockbuster middleweight matchup between Luke Rockhold and Vitor Belfort did not take long to come.
One day after the fight booking was confirmed, Brazilian media outlet Tatame (translation via MMA Mania) has confirmed when and where the bout will take place.
The bout will be the headliner for UFC on FX 8, set for May 18, which takes place at Arena Jaragua in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
“The Phenom” may not be thrilled with the booking, considering he recently asked for a rematch with either UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones or UFC middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva.
Apparently the higher ups of the UFC weren’t interested in seeing Belfort fight for a title again just yet, but a win against the last reigning Strikeforce middleweight title holder could be the boost he needs.
Belfort is 5-1 since making his middleweight debut in July 2008, with his only loss at 185-pounds being a devastating highlight-reel knockout by Silva back at UFC 126 in Feb. 2011.
He had another chance at UFC championship gold when he was a late replacement for Jones this past September, but he was thoroughly dominated by his younger, larger opponent before getting submitted in the fourth round.
To his credit, Belfort looked like he may pull off a monster upset by submitting “Bones” with an armbar early in the first round.
Meanwhile, this fight marks Rockhold’s UFC debut after going a perfect 6-0 under the Strikeforce banner.
The American Kickboxing Academy Product has a professional mixed martial arts record of 10-1, winning nine straight since suffering his only loss in Nov. 2007.
Who wins the pivotal middleweight match up that could easily equal a meeting with “The Spider” by the end of the year?
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