Silva-Belfort, Henderson-Marquardt in the Works

UFC president Dana White spoke about a potential matchup between middleweight champion Anderson Silva and former light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort after the latter pounded out Rich Franklin in the main event of UFC 103.

Speaking at the post-fight press conference, White said he felt Belfort was ready for the challenge and that it made sense to put him in with Silva right away. Belfort admitted he is friends with Silva, but feels he is ready to fight for the championship.

Silva’s manager Ed Soares informed Sherdog.com that Silva would indeed be going under the knife in the near future, but that he would be more than happy to square off with Belfort for his title when he returns. That should happen sometime early next year.

In answering a question from the press, White said he felt Nate Marquardt and Dan Henderson should have to fight each other after their performances against Silva. That could be tricky with Henderson reportedly having contract problems with the UFC.

“Dan and I have been friends for a long time,” said White, “We are going to get together next week and work this thing out.”

Should that happen, a Henderson-Marquardt bout -- a fight that the UFC hoped to make for UFC 105 in November -- could be booked for later this year or early 2010.