Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio took a break from grandstand challenges to Dana White to inform 5thRound.com that Vitor Belfort is the spoilsport in the Belfort/Gegard Mousasi clash proposed for their Aug. 1 card.
Was it really? Belfort’s fans have reasons for renewed optimism: His run at middleweight has gotten off to a great start with consecutive KO victories over a tough Terry Martin and a perpetually difficult Matt Lindland. Why stall out taking a fight in a weight class that doesn’t even exist?
I’m growing increasingly despondent over the rash of catch bouts that are popping up. It’s a sign that promotions outside of the UFC have such skeletal rosters that the only solution is to begin shuffling fighters around and creating compromising poundages out of thin air. Attribute it to my OCD or don’t, but completely random fights do nothing for the sport’s structure. (And I’ll happy point a finger at the pending Wanderlei Silva vs. Rich Franklin clash this weekend -- at a bizarro 195 pounds)
Stay at 185, Vitor. It suits you.