UFC on FX 7: Belfort Ends Bisping’s Title Run With TKO Victory

Belfort vs. Bisping

Belfort earns TKO, Bisping falls short of title shot

Prior to the main event of UFC on FX 7, UFC president Dana White tweeted that a Michael Bisping victory would lead to the Brit fighting middleweight champ Anderson Silva later this year.

But that fight simply wasn't meant to be thanks to Vitor Belfort.

This is fight is gonna be VERY interesting!!! Bisping gets a shot at @spideranderson if he wins. Pumped for this fight!!!

— Dana White (@danawhite) January 20, 2013

Bisping began strong, utilizing his technique to counter the speed and power of Belfort, but a late surge from the Brazilian in the opening round quickly erased the success the Brit had found in the first 4:30 of the round. And Belfort wasted little time in the second to finish the fight when opportunity struck.

A vicious high kick landed for the Brazilian moments after the one-minute mark, sending his opponent crumbling to the mat. Belfort jumped on Bisping and pounded away before the referee mercilessly tore him away.

The loss will be a tough one to swallow for Bisping as he not only lost the fight, but also a shot at the middleweight title. Meanwhile, Belfort is on his way back to becoming top contender in at 185 lbs.

However, instead of looking to talk his way into a rematch against Anderson Silva, Belfort took a different route, calling out Jon Jones, the UFC light heavyweight champion. Jones and Belfort met in the main event of UFC 152, a bout which Jones won via submission.

That fight seems entirely out of Belfort's reach, especially considering the Strikeforce fighters that are making their way over to the UFC, including Gegard Mousasi. He could find himself in line for another shot at Silva should he earn a victory in his next outing.

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