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UFC to promote Weidman-Belfort fight

The UFC is planning to promote a fight between Vitor Belfort and Chris Weidman, who defeated Anderson Silva last weekend © Getty Images

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The UFC is planning to promote a middleweight title bout between Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort in Las Vegas despite Belfort's uncertain fighting status in Nevada.

UFC CEO and co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta confirmed the plans to ESPN.com via text message. Weidman will be seeking the second defence of his 185-pound title.

"Depending on Chris Weidman, I'd like to do Vegas [in] May or July," Fertitta said of a potential location and date for the matchup.

Belfort (24-10) has not fought in the US since August 2011. He fought three times in 2013, all in his native Brazil.

The 36-year-old has been approved a therapeutic use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy in Brazil but would have to apply before the Nevada State Athletic Commission for the same privilege in Las Vegas.

Keith Kizer, executive director of the NSAC, has expressed some doubt in Belfort's chances at receiving approval to use TRT, based on a positive drug test he submitted in Las Vegas in 2006.

Belfort has defended his use of TRT numerous times in 2013. Immediately after watching Weidman's second-round TKO victory over Anderson Silva last weekend in Las Vegas, Belfort expressed confidence he could receive a TUE there if necessary.

"I'm able to fight anywhere," Belfort said. "I have done everything by the book. Everybody knows that people cheat, but I don't. I'm very open and very loyal to my principles."

Ray Longo, Weidman's head trainer, told ESPN.com on Thursday he expected the fight to take place in the United States and holds some reservation over the legitimacy of Belfort's previous TRT use.

"I know Chris is beating the guy but why give him an advantage?" Longo said. "Why does he deserve that? All he did was abuse his body with steroids so that now he needs the exemption. It's bull****."

Belfort made his UFC debut as a heavyweight in February 1997. He won the UFC light heavyweight title against Randy Couture at UFC 46 seven years later. He fought Silva for the middleweight title in February 2011, suffering a first-round knockout.

Weidman (11-0) is the No. 3 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, according to ESPN.com. He took the title from Silva in a second-round knockout in July, and then defended it against the Brazilian at UFC 168 via second-round TKO.

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This article first appeared on ESPN.com

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