Top middleweight contenders Yushin Okami (26-5) and Vitor Belfort (19-8) may square off at UFC 122 on Nov. 13 in Germany, according to the Wrestling Observer and MMAJunkie.com.
After knocking out Rich Franklin in the first round at UFC 103, Belfort appeared to be next in line for a title shot against Anderson Silva, but an injury forced him to the sidelines and gave Chael Sonnen an opening.
And because of Sonnen’s four-and-a-half rounds of dominance against Silva at UFC117, Belfort won’t get his shot any time soon, with all indications pointing to an immediate Silva vs. Sonnen rematch.
Okami, while not flashy, has been a model of consistency in the UFC, racking up a 9-2 mark in his Octagon appearances. His only setbacks came by decision to Sonnen and Franklin.
Both fighters utilize contrasting styles. Okami is well-rounded, but relies more on his strength and grappling against elite strikers such as Belfort. Vitor, on the other hand, has serious KO power in both hands and a BJJ black belt that he last put to use in 2001 for one of his only two submission wins.
Belfort has a mixed record against stifling grapplers. He has dropped decisions to Tito Ortiz (2005) and Dan Henderson (2006), but most recently knocked out Matt Lindland in 2009.
The bigger question is which Belfort shows up, and whether ring rust from his injury layoff prevents us from seeing the wrecking machine that’s KO’d his last three opponents.