November’s UFC 122 event is now official, but the headlining bout between Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami now has extra relevance.
The winner of the Spike-televised middleweight main event will receive a shot at Anderson Silva‘s championship belt.
The news was announced by the UFC in a press release on Monday morning and comes on the heels of Chael Sonnen‘s failed drug test following his loss to Silva at UFC 118. Sonnen was scheduled to receive an immediate rematch, but now faces a suspension of one year. Sonnen will appeal the failure and suspension, but the appeal process could be lengthy.
“It is a joy to go to other parts of the world and fight for fans there,” said Belfort. “I am here to regain my legacy as one of the best fighters in the world. I’ve accomplished so many things in my career, but I am always happy to be in the gym and working on getting better.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to fight a great like Vitor Belfort in the main event of a big card,” said Okami. “Vitor Belfort is still kind of my idol, so I am very excited. He will bring out the very best in me. Belfort is a great fighter but I feel I have certain advantages I can use in the fight. I will shock MMA fans around the world with my performance.”
UFC 122 takes place Nov. 13 at Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany. The co-headlining bout will see light heavyweights Goran Reljic and Krzysztof Soszynski square off. Tickets for the event go on sale today for UFC Fight Club members, and the general public can purchase tickets beginning Wednesday. Due to strict German law, the event is only open to those who are 18 years and older, and identification will be checked at the door.
