• UFC 125

Silva may not be fit to face Belfort at UFC 125

ESPN staff
September 23, 2010
Anderson Silva had a rib injury in his fight with Chael Sonnen © Getty Images
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Anderson Silva's manager, Ed Soares, has poured cold water on news of a New Year's Day fight with Vitor Belfort, revealing the middleweight champion may not be ready to compete by January 1.

UFC president Dana White confirmed Belfort as the replacement for Chael Sonnen, who is currently banned from MMA for a failed drugs test. The Silva v Belfort showdown is expected to headline UFC 125 in Las Vegas on January 1.

However, Silva is currently recovering from the rib injury that affected him in his last-gasp victory over Sonnen at UFC 117, and Soares admits New Year's Day may arrive too soon. The champion's manager revealed February 6 would be the back-up date.

"His rib is still very tender. They're very sore," Soares told MMA Weekly.

"It's still not 100 percent. He needs to be training at least 10 weeks with his ribs not being hurt. It's still tender and it really hurts to throw knees and stuff like that.

"I think at this point, we don't know what date it's going to be. It's definitely going to be some time next year. We just don't know if it's going to be January 1st or SuperBowl weekend."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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