Fans looking forward to seeing the return of Brazilian superstar, Vitor Belfort, will have to wait a while longer as reports are coming in that he has pulled out of his match at UFC 122 with Yushin Okami due to injury. Belfort made his return to the promotion at UFC 103, scoring a KO victory over Rich Franklin fighting at a catch weight of 195 pounds. A title fight with Anderson Silva was in the works, but was postponed twice due to Silva not being fully recovered from injury. The pair set a date for the third time at UFC 112 in February, but Belfort was forced to pull out of the scrap due to injuries of his own. Belfort has yet to fight at middleweight for the UFC. The specifics and severity of the injury have not yet been made public.
Nate Marquardt Replaces Injured Vitor Belfort, Will Face Yushin Okami At UFC 122
Taking his place to face Okami will be Nate Marquardt. Coming off an impressive TKO victory over Rousimar Palhares a week ago at Ultimate Fight Night 22 in Austin, Marquardt moved right back up into the top guys in line for title shots with Silva. Seeing as this fight was previously made to determine the middleweight division’s No. 1 contender, Marquardt replacing Belfort should not impact that decision.
Marquardt and Okami will still headline UFC 122 in Germany, airing via tape delay in the United States on Spike TV.
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