Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort to Headline UFC 173 in Las Vegas
Chris Weidman will defend his UFC middleweight title against Vitor Belfort on May 24 in Las Vegas, according to reports on Saturday night.
In speaking with ESPN.com at UFC 169, Weidman confirmed the match-up, which will headline the UFC 173 pay-per-view.
“I beat Anderson Silva twice, the greatest of all time,” Weidman told the outlet. “Now it's my opportunity to solidify myself as champion.”
Weidman (11-0) comes into the Memorial Day card fresh off two consecutive wins over Silva. Despite being an underdog in both fights, Weidman knocked out Silva in their first contest at UFC 162, and came out the victor at UFC 168 when he checked a Silva kick that fractured the former champion's leg.
Belfort (24-10) has been on a late-career run that includes three straight wins over notable middleweights Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold and Dan Henderson. Belfort has made a reputation for himself in his recent run, landing fight-ending head kicks in each of his last three wins.
There are no other fights scheduled for the UFC 173 card, but a match between TUF Brazil 3 coaches Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva is likely to land on the card, according to various reports.
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