• UFC 139

Silva steps in for injured Belfort at UFC 139

ESPN staff
September 22, 2011
Wanderlei Silva has lost six of his last eight bouts © Getty Images
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Vitor Belfort has been forced out of a clash with Cung Le at UFC 139, president Dana White has confirmed.

Fellow middleweight Wanderlei Silva has stepped in to the breach for the November clash, while the nature of Belfort's injury remains unknown.

However, he expects to be back in action soon. "I am out of November card, I have to take care of a injury," Belfort said on Twitter. "Nothing major but the good news that the doctor says I will be ready for December."

Le, who has been out of action for 16 months in order to pursue an acting career, will be making his UFC debut in the clash, having fought under the Strikeforce banner for the entirety of his MMA career.

Silva will make his first appearance since being KOd by Chris Leben at UFC 132. The 35-year-old has struggled of late, recording six losses in his last eight.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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