Vitor Belfort returns at UFC 133, takes on Yoshihiro Akiyama
by Tim Groves on April 21, 2011

Vitor Belfort (19-9) will meet Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-3 2 NC) in a middleweight showdown at UFC 133, according to ESPN.com.

UFC 133 is scheduled to take place on August 6 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Belfort will fight for the first time since his title loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 126. It was Belfort's first middleweight fight with the UFC. After announcing himself to the world with the UFC, including a 44 second victory over Wanderlei Silva, Belfort left the company for PRIDE. He spent time with the Japanese organization before coming back to the UFC. He departed once again in 2005 and fought for Cage Rage, Strikeforce and Affliction before being brought back yet again.

Akiyama may be fighting for his UFC career when he takes on Belfort. After defeating Alan Belcher via split decision in his promotional debut, Akiyama has lost two straight. He was submitted by Chris Leben at UFC 116 and then taken to a decision by Michael Bisping at UFC 120. The Japanese import was then slated to fight Nate Marquardt at UFC 128, but the devastating earthquake in his native country forced him off of the card.

 |  (33) Comments JimLaheyTPS: Why is this fight not on the UFC Rio card? The UFC obviously wants to put on a great card for Brazil and this fight would definitely add to it. For the fight alone, I think it will be a good fight that will launch the winner into title contention. GO HARD: but also to add to Jim... Vitor is really loved and admired in Brazil as he should be. but Im sure he will attend. as will wandy... as will nog. JujitsWho: Wow! I love this fight. WAR VITOR!!! ( I like Sexyama too though.....hate when that happens ) GO HARD: i think Vitor puts him away in the first... The Hitman: Akiyama is soooooo overrated. He got subbed by Leben and worked by Bisping. Vitor via TKO in the 1st. Wandering_Minstrel: Unfortunately, the Japanese fighters have a really bad habit of saying "We'll fight anybody." Akiyama is much better than some of you think. However, we have to face facts that he's one of the shorter MWs out there and his brawling style went out the door years ago. His cardio also leaves something to be desired. The bottom line is that Akiyama has been forced to fight some high level guys (in the MW division lol) and hasn't exactly been given an easy deal. GO HARD: i would actually say he is NOT as good as people think.. exciting? yes Skilled? absolutely .... but he lacks MMA Intelligence and gameplan. fredshaulage: Akiyama is old school. Doesn't train hard, doesn't cut weight. Someone tell him it's the UFC and 2011. Who trains this guy, Fedor? IwishIwasMMA: WHHHHHHHHHHHHHA!? I got.. uhh ... I got Vitor winning the fight. I just.. this fight.. = Awesome Giada Esposito: I think this is a good fight for Vitor. I hope that Akiyama pulls out a win though, I'll be pulling for the Sexy One. And this fight not being on the UFC Rio card is just another sign that the UFC's return to Brazil is probably going to suck. Let's see... Shogun vs. Griffin (yawn) Silva vs. Okami (not so great) Tavares vs. Fisher (ho-hum) Cane vs. Nedkov (double yawn) Pearson vs. Barboza (maybe good). What a wasted opportunity to put on a legendary card. I hope they manage to put together at least one fight to get really excited about, but they've just about run out of options. Marker28: Akiyama has back to back losses and now he has to face a legend. I think the ufc gave Yoshi a raw deal. GO HARD: heard vitor got hepatitus A, what does this mean?? says its not career ending. q: /
HOW WILL THE THIAGO ALVES VS. MARTIN KAMPMANN FIGHT END AT UFC ON FX 2?
Alves def. Kampmann via TKO/KO
Alves def. Kampmann via submission
Alves def. Kampmann via decision
Kampmann def. Alves via TKO/KO
Kampmann def. Alves via submission
Kampmann def. Alves via decision
TAKE ANOTHER POLL!