• UFC on FX: Belfort v Rockhold

Belfort v Rockhold to headline May 18 event

ESPN staff
February 15, 2013
Vitor Belfort is coming off a win over Michael Bisping © Getty Images
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A middleweight bout between Vitor Belfort and former Strikeforce champion Luke Rockhold has been booked to a UFC on FX event on May 18 in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil.

Sources confirmed to ESPN.com the bout will headline the UFC event, following an initial report by Brazilian news source, Tatame. UFC president Dana White confirmed the matchup earlier this week, but did not reveal a date.

The contest should go a long way in clearing up the 185lb title picture. Belfort (22-10) shook up the division last month, knocking out top contender Michael Bisping in the second round.

The Brazilian is 3-0 at 185lbs since a first-round KO loss to champion Anderson Silva in February 2011. He suffered a submission loss to light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones at 205lbs in September.

Rockhold (10-1) will carry a nine-fight win streak into his UFC debut. The California native captured the Strikeforce title with a unanimous decision win over Ronaldo Souza in September 2011 and went on to successfully defend it twice.

Originally scheduled for a third defence against Lorenz Larkin, Rockhold suffered a wrist injury that has kept him out of action since July. He has never fought outside the US. Belfort, meanwhile, has fought internationally in his previous three fights.

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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