It’s official: the winner of the UFC 122 main event between Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami will receive a very big short at UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. Due to Chael Sonnen’s recent positive test for performance enhancing drugs (and possible yearlong suspension), this adds a heightened sense of urgency for the UFC as they desperately need a match-up that fans will be interested in.
UFC 122 takes place November 13 at Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany and will air via same-day delay on Spike TV.
Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor Belfort, 19-8 a career which began in 1996, has earned his reputation as one of the greats in his sport. The 33-year-old from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has spent a decade and a half travelling the world and defeating a who’s who of mixed martial arts; ‘The Phenom’ holds wins over the likes of Tank Abbott, Wanderlei Silva, Kazushi Sakuraba, Randy Couture, and Matt Lindland, and he most recently stopped Rich Franklin in just three minutes.
One of the most feared fighters in the middleweight division since his UFC debut win over Alan Belcher four years ago, Kanagawa, Japan, native Yushin Okami, 26-5 in MMA, is finally in a position to force his way into title contention. ‘Thunder’ already holds victories over Mike Swick, Evan Tanner, Dean Lister and most recently Mark Munoz, and he knows a win over an icon like Belfort will cement his status at the top contender at 185lbs. [Credit: UFC]
The unofficial UFC 122 card:
Vitor Belfort vs. Yushin Okami
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Goran Reljic*
Jorge Rivera vs. Alessio Sakara*
Amir Sadollah vs. Peter Sobotta*
Jason Brilz vs. Vladimir Matyushenko*
Rob Kimmons vs. Kyle Noke*
Seth Petruzelli vs. Karlos Vemola*
Dennis Siver vs. Andre Winner*
Duane “Bang” Ludwig vs. Nick Osipczak*
Kris McCray vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha*
Pascal Krauss vs. Kenny Robertson*
* – As yet confirmed
