UFC: Belfort vs. Silva-Weidman winner 'makes sense,' could happen in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – UFC President Dana White said the promotion currently has no plans for Vitor Belfort‘s next fight, but it could include a title shot – and it could happen in Las Vegas.

“There’s no plans right now with Vitor,” White said at Thursday’s pre-UFC 160 media day. “He just fought. We’ll see what happens.

“It would make sense for [Belfort to meet the winner of the Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman] fight, and that’s not far away. Those two fight, and we see what happens, or Vitor could fight again. I don’t know. But he could fight either one of those guys.”

Belfort, of course, fought this past weekend in Brazil and earned an impressive first-round TKO win over former Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold. The result moved Belfort to 4-0 in his past four middleweight contest (though his UFC 142 win over Anthony Johnson was actually contested at 197 pounds), with all four wins coming by way of stoppage.

Silva and Weidman headline July’s UFC 162 event, and while “The Spider” has teased a few long-rumored superfights, White suggested Belfort could very well be the No. 1 contender at 185 pounds and earn a rematch with the champ, who knocked out “The Phenom” at 2011's UFC 126 event.

“Vitor looked great,” White said. “Spinning back kick – he looked awesome.”

Where the fight would take place is another story. Three of Belfort’s past four contests have taken place in Brazil, where the Comissao Atletica Brasileira de MMA (CABMMA) is still setting up its roots, leading some pundits to question whether or not the new commission is capable or properly monitoring Belfort’s approved use of testosterone replacement therapy. Some observers have contested that UFC officials are purposely keeping Belfort in Brazil for that exact reason, but White insisted that was simply not true.

“We’re not keeping Vitor out of fighting from anywhere,” White said. “We had Vitor fight in Brazil because Vitor sells out in Brazil. It’s all a bunch of conspiracy theory crock of s–t.”

Still, Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer has previously stated he doesn’t believe the NSAC would offer a therapeutic-use exemption to Belfort based on his previous issues with anabolic steroid use.

White said he doesn’t see the issue. Sure, the commission would likely require extensive documentation, but he doesn’t see why licensure would be an issue.

“It’s not that they’re going to have a problem licensing him,” White said. “They’re going to rake him over the coals is what they’re going to do.”

Of course, all of the talk is largely conjecture. Silva vs. Weidman needs to happen, and an upset might command an instant rematch. If Silva is victorious, he could potentially ask to wait until December or January to fight again, at which point Belfort may instead choose to pick a new opponent and remain active.

But if Belfort does make sense as the next contender to the middleweight title, White said he’ll have no problem booking the bout, even as he remains an outspoken critic of the TRT that has become a part of Belfort’s routine.

“The whole TRT thing with Vitor has just become this huge – people are going after Vitor Belfort, is what they’re doing,” White said. “TRT is legal. Everybody knows that. Vitor Belfort was tested leading all the way up to the fight. He was tested during the fight. We’re waiting for those results to come back, and I’m positive he’s going to be fine.

“Vitor doesn’t want this. He’s aggravated and pissed off about this stuff. He doesn’t want to be smeared. I don’t like TRT. I’m not a fan of it. I don’t like it at all. … (But) Vitor Belfort followed the rules and did everything he’s supposed to do. … What I don’t like is guys using this TRT exemption as a loophole to get all jacked up during training and then come back to normal levels before the fight. That’s what I don’t like, and that’s what I don’t want.”

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(Pictured: Vitor Belfort)