The injury bug has hit Vitor Belfort once again and the former UFC light heavyweight champion has withdrawn from his fight with Cung Le at UFC 139. Wasting no time though a replacement was announced the same time as the new of Belfort injury. Wanderlei Silva will now step in a fight Le at UFC 139 in San Jose, California.
“Vitor is injured and out of San Jose fight. Now Cung Le will fight Wandy!” Dana White tweets today at 9:24am
Silva (33-11-1, 1nc) hasn’t fared was since returning to the Ultimate Fighting Championship in December of 2007, going just 2-4. Most recently Silva was knocked out by Chris Leben just 27 seconds into their UFC 132 bout back in July. There was talk of retirement from Dana White but Silva made it clear he wanted to continue to fight.
Le (7-1) hasn’t fought much since winning the Strikeforce middleweight championship back in March of 2008. An aspiring movie career has limited the San Jose based fighter to just two fights since winning the title. When he makes his UFC debut in his hometown on November 19th, it will have been nearly 17 months since his last fight.
Both fighters are strikers but their styles are completely different. Though it hasn’t been working for him of late, Silva looks to stand in the pocket a trade with you. Le on the other hand uses his powerful kicks from to outside to punish every part of your body. Expect fireworks!
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