Vitor Belfort welcomes Anthony Johnson to the middleweight division as the two are officially set to battle at UFC 142. Jose Aldo is also set to defend his featherweight title against Chad Mendes on the same card according to ufc.com.

"Verbal agreements in for what should be an explosive match up as powerhouse Anthony ‘Rumble' Johnson moves up to middleweight to face ‘The Phenom' Vitor Belfort at the event," Dana White, UFC president, said.

Belfort (20-9) will look to make a successful 2012 debut when he faces Johnson in his native Brazil. Hopefully Belfort can remain healthy for their January 14 bout, last suffering an injury that forced him out of a fight with Cung Le at UFC 139. Belfort is 6-1 over seven bouts since 2007, losing only to Anderson Silva at UFC 126. "The Phenom" knocked out Japanese star, Yoshihiro Akiyama, in his last bout at UFC 133.

Johnson (10-3) will finally be moving up to fight as a middleweight. Many, including White, have believed for a long time that the 185lb division is Johnson's optimal weight class having competed predominantly in welterweight. Johnson is currently riding a two fight win streak, last defeating Charlie Brenneman via TKO from a head kick at UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson.

This middleweight bout is sure to bring fireworks as both men accumulated a total of 21 knockouts over 30 combined wins.

Also on the card is Aldo looking to defend his UFC featherweight title for the third time against Mendes.

Aldo (20-1) recently defeated Kenny Florian at UFC 136 via unanimous decision and extended his win streak to 13 fights. Aldo was awarded the UFC featherweight belt after the UFC's absorption of the WEC, where Aldo reigned as the two time defending featherweight champion. 

Mendes (11-0) will put his flawless record on the line as he vies for Aldo's title. Mendes last defeated Rani Yahya via unanimous decision at UFC 133. During his 11-0 run, Mendes has defeated the likes of Cub Swanson, Javier Vazquez and Michihiro Omigawa.

UFC 142 is scheduled on January 14, 2012 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.