Those Brazilians that didn't get in on the party the first time around are slowly but surely being penciled in on the second trip to the South American country.
This time it's possibly the most famous of them all, as Vitor Belfort has been booked to sling leather against Anthony Johnson, who will be making the jump to middleweight (finally), at UFC 142 on Jan. 14.
UFC.com with the news:
"Verbal agreements in for what should be an explosive matchup as powerhouse Anthony ‘Rumble' Johnson moves up to middleweight to face ‘The Phenom' Vitor Belfort at the event," UFC president Dana White said.
Belfort was last in action this past Aug. 6 at UFC 133 in Philadelphia, cruising past Yoshihiro Akiyama via crushing first round knockout. It was his first win since his close encounter with Anderson Silva's foot back in February.
Now, though, he'll meet a strong wrestler -- with just as much power as "The Phenom" -- in his native land.
Anthony Johnson has long been fighting outside his "natural" weight class, having competed as a welterweight throughout his career.There's just one problem with that -- he's a beast of a man that might actually belong at light heavyweight.
Life is about finding middle ground, though, and he's done just that by finally agreeing to move up to 185-pounds. He'll do so against a former champion and division title challenger. A win, combined with his two in a row at welterweight, would move him way up the ladder in a weight class light on challengers for the belt.
Anderson Silva vs. Anthony Johnson? Let's not get ahead of ourselves, but you never know.
UFC 142 will take place on Jan. 14, 2012, in Brazil. The main event will feature Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo defending his title against undefeated wrestler Chad Mendes.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this still-developing fight card.
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