UFC Confirms Vitor Belfort vs. Alan Belcher for UFC 153 in Rio
After the back and forth between Vitor Belfort and Alan Belcher on social media and in interviews over the past couple of days, it should come as no surprise that the two are now slated to square off at UFC 153 on Oct. 13 in Brazil.
UFC officials on Wednesday announced the bout, in addition to the participation of TUF Brazil finalist Sergio Moraes and Renee Forte, whose opponents have yet to be named.
“Right now, if I want to get something signed it needs to be against Vitor Belfort or Chris Weidman,” Belcher told MMAWeekly.com prior to the fight’s announcement. “Both of those guys are highly ranked, good fighters, very challenging for me and both of them could potentially be a top contender.
“I want to fight Vitor. He’s still an awesome fighter, still a top contender, but he’s also a legend.”
Although they had both been calling for fights, and eventually targeting each other, neither has been derogatory in his comments.
“He is an excellent fighter, a tough guy and good in all the basics,” Belfort remarked when the fight was announced on the UFC’s Portuguese website. “He comes from a very good win over Palhares. Surely this will be a great test for both (of us).”
UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo headlines UFC 153 in Rio de Janeiro, putting his belt on the line against Erik Koch at the HSBC Arena.
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