Belfort will be ready for title fight in November

[tn94z]

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Vitor Belfort's shoulder is on the mend, and he will be able to fight for the middleweight title in the fall, according to his manager.

Fabiano Farah, Belfort's representative, told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) that the fighter will not get a warm-up fight before he vies for the 185-pound belt.

"Vitor will be in (the best) absolute physical condition to return to the octagon and fight for the UFC title by November 2010," Farah wrote today in an email.

No UFC events are currently rumored for November.

Belfort (19-8 MMA, 8-4 UFC), a former UFC champion at light heavyweight, was due to face current middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva at UFC 112 before "The Phenom" withdrew due to a severe shoulder injury that required surgery. Silva instead fought (and defeated) Demian Maia.

According to multiple reports, Belfort saw a shoulder specialist at the behest of UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta and was given a four-month window for a return to the gym.

In Belfort's absence, the UFC has slotted Chael Sonnen as Silva's next contender at UFC 117 in August. In several interviews, UFC president Dana White expressed confidence that Sonnen will erase the bad taste left at UFC 112, where the champion gave a widely panned performance against Maia.

If Silva wins at UFC 117, White recently told reporters, he will fight Belfort and then make a semi-permanent move to light heavyweight.

Belfort returned to the octagon at UFC 103 this past September after almost four years served in other promotions and quickly knocked out former middleweight champion Rich Franklin. The win put him squarely in the UFC's sights for a title shot at Silva. He was penciled in to face the champion at UFC 108, but an elbow injury forced Silva's withdrawal.

I am ready to see Belfort fight again.

[FUZO]

TweetIF BELFORT LOSES IT WONT BE GOOD FOR HIS CAREER THOUGH

[tn94z]

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IF BELFORT LOSES IT WONT BE GOOD FOR HIS CAREER THOUGH

It won't hurt him that much. I mean, he is on a 5 fight win streak that includes walking through Matt Lindland (recognized as one of the best MWs) and he walked through Franklin the same way (actually got KO of the night honors). If he loses to Anderson, who has beaten the crap out of everybody, then it's not that big of a blow I don't think. Now, if he loses to Anderson and then lost his next fight, I could him being in troubled waters. The thing about Vitor is, he will bring the fight to Anderson. He won't stand back and let Anderson pick him apart. And he will probably have the speed advantage over Anderson as well because Vitor is fast as lightning. He also has KO power.

[Strella]

TweetShould be interesting at least. Funny thing is losing to Silva I dont think hurts you at all, it might even help you depending on how you lose. I feel like Hendo has gotten mad props just for winning a round against him.