UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva (25-4 MMA, 10-0 UFC) will likely make his next title defense on Jan. 2 when he meets Vitor Belfort (19-8 MMA, 8-4 UFC) in the main event of UFC 108.
The Los Angeles Times first reported the matchup and cited UFC president Dana White as confirming the news.
A source close to one of the fighters told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that fight has been discussed but, as the report states, has not been signed.
UFC 108 takes place Jan. 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Due to the holiday schedule, the pay-per-view event is technically considered the UFC's traditional year-end blockbuster show.
Although Silva claimed he was healthy, wanted to fight before year's end and shrugged off rumors of an elbow surgery, White said earlier this month that Silva would, in fact, go under the knife.
"Contrary to whatever the hell [Silva] is saying, he's not 200 percent healthy," White said. "He's having some bone spurs removed from his elbow, which is a simple little procedure that happens, but you've got to have recovery time."
I think the LA Times also "broke" the Fedor signing with the UFC story, so maybe this is jumping the gun, but it definitely seems like this is the fight the UFC wants to make next for Silva.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Henderson vs. Marquardt fight end up on this show if it's going to happen.
There's also been talk of Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva being on this card, but I think they will wait to see just how crazy Rampage is before putting Rashad in another fight.
I'd expect to see some other big names fill the undercard, because not only is Silva probably their lowest drawing champion, but I don't think we'll be seeing another title fight on the show.
