UFC
UFC NEWS: Vitor Belfort wants to fight Michael Bisping next, would like to return in May
Feb 28, 2011 - 11:25:51 AM UFC NEWS: Vitor Belfort wants to fight Michael Bisping next, would like to return in May

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Michael Bisping won his third straight fight on Saturday night in Australia, defeating Jorge Rivera by TKO in the second round in a heated bout in the UFC 127 co-main event.

Now looking to make a run toward a title shot in the division, one possible opponent could be the last man that contended for the belt in Vitor Belfort.

Belfort, hoping to get back into action as soon as possible, took to Twitter saying that he'd like to fight Bisping as early as May.

"On my way to the airport going back to Vegas I am looking forward to [fighting] bisping on May card I need to fight soon I want to get busy," Belfort wrote.

While that could be taken as a sign that the bout is for sure coming, Belfort later clarified that he just wants to fight Bisping, not that anything is set.

But if Belfort vs. Bisping came to pass, it may not come until after May with the main card of UFC 130 already set. The bout could come on the June 11 event in Vancouver if the UFC put it together, though MMAJunkie.com reports that the UFC is looking to also return to the UK in June as well, making that an option for the bout.

Penick's Analysis: Bisping vs. Belfort would be an excellent fight for the middleweight division. If they can squeeze it on to UFC 130, Belfort could leave recovery time open to still meet Wanderlei Silva in Brazil in August. Perhaps the UFC could add another event earlier in May as well, though with two June events filling up with fights that seems unlikely. The UFC had already reportedly been prepping a fourth Versus event for June, so Bisping vs. Belfort could certainly headline that card, and if the UFC runs that in the UK it would make for a good free TV headliner.