UFC on FX 7 recap: Vitor Belfort derails Michael Bisping by TKO

The UFC middleweight division had a clear number one contender in Michael Bisping coming into the main event of the UFC on FX 7 event. Vitor Belfort changed all of that, derailing the title hopes of Bisping with a high kick that led to a second-round TKO just 1:27 into the round.

Vitor Belfort started tentatively against the very technical Michael Bisping to open the bout. Bisping went to his jab to establish range early, then followed up with his right hand to score at will as the round wore on with his patented one-two combination. Belfort responded at times with his powerful left hand, but it was mostly one-and-done for Belfort until late in the round where he connected with a high kick, and a barrage of strikes to finish the round strong.

Bisping came out in the second landing kicks, and getting right back to his jab. Belfort stayed patient, then found an opening in the tight defense of Bisping with a crushing high kick to the head that dropped his opponent instantly. Belfort followed up with a flurry of left hands forcing the referee to step in and intervene, stopping the fight at 1:27 of the second stanza.

The victory moves Belfort to 22-10 overall and 10-6 in the UFC, but more importantly changes the landscape of the UFC’s middleweight division as a new number one contender will have to be found to face off against Anderson Silva.