Vitor ‘The Phenom’ Belfort has apparently pulled out of the UFC 122 fight card due to an injury he suffered according to mmaweekly. Nate ‘The Great’ Marquardt has agreed to step in as a late replacement to take on Yushin ‘Thunder’ Okami as part of the UFC 122 main event. President Dana White confirmed that the winner between Marquardt and Okami would be next in line for a title shot against current UFC middleweight champion Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva.
Silva was scheduled to take on Chael Sonnen in a rematch fight sometime in early 2011. However, that bout will most likely be scrapped as Sonnen tested positive for steroids after failing his UFC 117 post-fight drug tests. Sonnen may be looking at a 1-year suspension and a $2,500USD fine, but he plans on appealing the results in a hearing that is scheduled for December 2nd, 2010.
The Spider continues to recover from a rib injury he suffered prior to his fight with Sonnen. The champ will be keeping a close eye on both Marquardt and Okami at UFC 122.
Marquardt is coming off a huge win over Rousimar Palhares at UFC Fight Night 22, attaining his fourth win out of his last five bouts. Meanwhile Okami is currently riding on a two-fight winning streak with victories over Lucio Linhares and Mark Munoz. ‘Thunder’ has won five of his last six octagon fights.
Expect fireworks at UFC 122, targeted for November 13th at the König Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
