Chris Weidman successfully defended his middleweight title in the main event of UFC 168, scoring a walk-off leg break in the second round of his Anderson Silva rematch last Saturday night (Dec. 28, 2013) at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (results).
As promised, he will now move on to fight Vitor Belfort.
While no date or venue has been made official at this time, UFC has "informally' asked the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) to put the "Weidman vs. Belfort" title fight on its radar for some point in early 2014, according to Los Angeles Times, pending results of post-fight medical examinations.
"I'm able to fight anywhere, I have done everything by the book. Everybody knows that people cheat, but I don't."
It may not be that simple.
NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer is not convinced that Belfort can obtain a license to compete in "Sin City" after failing a drug test back in 2006. Not because he was popped for 4-hydroxytestosterone, but for the fact that low testosterone is one of the side effects of previous steroid abuse, something that rules him ineligible for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the controversial treatment.
UFC President Dana White vehemently disagrees.
That leaves Belfort two choices. He can either state his case in front of the commission and convince them he's worthy of a TUE, or he can flat-out abandon his TRT use for a Weidman title fight, something he will (begrudgingly) do if that's what it takes to compete for the gold.
But it won't be "fair."
Belfort, 36, has reeled off three consecutive first-round head-kick knockouts, disposing of Michael Bisping, former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold and most recently, Dan Henderson. But competing strictly in Brazil -- where the drug testing has come under fire -- has led to speculation that he's abusing the system.
No f---ing way, according to White.
There is no better way for Belfort to silence his critics and fulfill his dream than by competing in Las Vegas, Nevada, defeating Chris Weidman and passing all of his drug tests. Sounds like a pretty tall order, though I'm not sure which of those obstacles will be the most difficult to overcome.
I guess we'll start here and see what happens.