The UFC website has announced that middleweights Anthony Johnson and Vitor Belfort have verbally agreed to fight one another at UFC 142 which will take place on January 14th in Brazil. The location and venue have not been announced at this time.
Anthony Johnson (10-3) had fought as a welterweight during his UFC stint but has finally decided to make the inevitable move up to the middleweight division. Johnson was one of the larger welterweights out there, and his trouble making the welterweight limit of 170lbs has been well documented. Johnson is coming off back to back wins including a dominant decision victory over former #1 contender Dan Hardy and a KO win over Charlie Brenneman earlier this year. This should be an incredible fight with two very explosive fighters.
Vitor Belfort(20-9) has competed in multiple weight classes but has stayed in the middleweight division since 2008, not counting a catchweight bout with Rich Franklin in 2009 for his UFC return. Belfort is coming off a dismantling of Japanese star Yoshihiro Akiyama back at UFC 133, but succumbed to a highlight reel KO loss courtesy of Anderson Silva back at UFC 126 earlier this year. Prior to that loss, Belfort last tasted defeat at the hands of Dan Henderson back in 2006.
UFC 142 will also feature featherweight champion Jose Aldo defending his title against Chad Mendes. Stay tuned to Pro MMA Now(www.prommanow.com) for future updates.