Dana White: Wanderlei Silva vs. Vitor Belfort Not Happening For Now

Wanderlei Silva proved once again on Saturday night that win, lose, or draw he is always going to be involved in exciting fights.

The former Pride champion went to war with Rich Franklin to cap off UFC 147 in Brazil, but after a five round battle he came up on the wrong end of a unanimous decision.

The original plan for the card on Saturday was for Silva to face fellow Brazilian Vitor Belfort after the two competitors coached the inaugural season of the Ultimate Fighter Brasil.

Unfortunately, Belfort broke his hand and required surgery that put him out of the June 23 show and into the surgical room instead.

Silva’s hope was to beat Franklin and then face Belfort next, but it looks like neither of those things will happen.

Following UFC 147, UFC President Dana White was asked about that very scenario unfolding, and he shot down the idea of Silva getting the fight with Belfort next.

“(Vitor’s next fight) It will not be against Wanderlei, he just lost tonight. When Vitor heels up, we will see what happens and go from there,” White stated when speaking to Fuel TV following the fights.

It appears that if Silva wants to finish off his long time feud with Belfort, he’s going to have to win at least another fight before the UFC will put that match up together.

While the news about not getting the Belfort fight has to sting a little, Silva can walk away from the UFC’s latest show in Brazil with the knowledge that his future within the promotion is very, very safe.

Even if Silva decides to call it a career, the UFC will be happy to give the Brazilian legend a home for as long as he wants one.

“Wanderlei almost won that fight. It is tough to say. I said it last night, he used to be my arch nemesis over at Pride and I wanted that Chuck fight since Pride. But since he came to the UFC, he has been great, acting like he has been in the UFC for a long time. He has been honest and great and he is going to be with the UFC for a long time whether he is fighting or not,” White said.

Silva may have walked away from UFC 147 with a loss and without a fight against Vitor Belfort, but he did manage to add another classic battle to his resume and probably even more fans that now know the ‘Axe Murderer’ always delivers.

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