• UFC 153

Injured Belcher not bitter at Belfort's Jones switch

ESPN staff
August 25, 2012
Alan Belcher is suffering from a spinal fracture © Getty Images
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Alan Belcher has described Vitor Belfort's move to fight Jon Jones at UFC 152 as a "blessing in disguise" after revealing he is suffering from a spinal injury.

Belcher had been slated to face Belfort at UFC 153, only for the Brazilian to be switched to face light heavyweight champion Jones following the cancellation of UFC 151 after Dan Henderson's injury.

A new opponent for Belcher was expected to be announced in the coming days, but the American has been pulled from the Rio card after announcing he has a spinal fracture.

He posted on his Twitter page: "Everyone's asking if I am mad at @ufc @jonnybones @vitorbelfort answer is no. This is a blessing in disguise. I have a spinal fracture."

Belcher said he was aiming to be back in action by November and singled out Chris Weidman as his first-choice opponent on his return.

Meanwhile, the void left by Belfort and Belcher at UFC 153 has been filled by Phil Davis' rematch against Wagner Prado. Their fight at UFC on Fox 4 earlier this month was ruled a "no contest" after Prado was unable to continue following an accidental eye poke from Davis.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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