Anderson vs vitor

[hockeyguy7382]

Here we go again.

The injury bug that bit the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) through early winter has reared its ugly fangs once again.

Kevin Iole at Yahoo!Sports.com delivers the sad news.

Vitor Belfort is injured (shoulder) and off UFC 112 title fight with Anderson Silva. Confirmed by Dana White. More details to come.

"The Phenom" and "The Spider" were initially penciled in to collide at UFC 108 earlier this year; however, minor elbow surgery for Silva postponed the Brazilian brawl until UFC 112 at the Concert Arena from Ferrari World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on Saturday, April 10.

Perhaps it's just not meant to be -- Belfort even seemed uncomfortable with the quick title shot after a first round destruction of former 185-pound division champ Rich Franklin in a 195-pound catchweight fight on Sept. 19, 2009.

In fact, he admitted that Nate Marquardt more than likely deserved the nod over him. Nonetheless, he accepted the bout, twice, and both times the plans have had to be scrapped.

Star-divide

Waiting in the wings, of course, is Chael Sonnen, who utterly dominated Marquardt at UFC 109: "Relentless" this past weekend; however, he sustained a humongous gash on his forehead during the three-round unanimous decision win and was slapped with a lengthy medical suspension.

Sonnen, according to the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), is not allowed to spar until March 24, giving him little time to truly prepare to battle a worldclass and dangerous opponent such as Silva. Regardless, Sonnen indicated in several post-fight interviews that he would be ready just in case something like this happened.

It's a tall order, considering Silva hasn't really lost in more than five years (sans a disqualification loss to Yushin Okami in 2006), and he's essentially obliterated the middleweight division since entering the Zuffa fold in mid 2006.

Whether or not the promotion gives him the green light is still up in the air, and more than likely, currently the focus of heated debate in the UFC war room.

There are other options, of course.

Silva has recently competed against 205-pound fighters to give him more of a challenge. He passed with flying colors, sending former champion Forrest Griffin running for the hills and pasting James Irvin with a highlight-reel, fighting-ending combination.

Randy Couture, perhaps?

[Mr. Dangerous]

Don't do it Randy

[The Hurt]

Damian Maia is the official replacement. Should be interesting

[hockeyguy7382]

Maia is going to get smoked. The only thing is I was lookin at ufc events on there site, it doesnt list it as a title fight now and it shows andersons weight at 205 and maias weight at 185? Dunno if there going to switch it to catchweight or what

[ryanlangmaid]

it just shows andersons weight at 205 because his last fight was at 205, he isnt a very big guy so im sure it'll be at 185.
I dont think Maia will get smoked unless he's stupid enough to stand with him! Maia is one of my favorites at 185 but I dont think he really deserves the shot. After he got whooped by Marquardt then Marquardt got owned by Sonnen I'd say Chael is the most deserving opponent, but I cant stand chael so im glad Maia go it
I do want to see marquardt and silva again though! Marquardt is a beast just doesnt do to good against a stud wrestler.