Vitor Belfort on rematching Anderson Silva: 'I think this would be a money fight'

Six years ago, Vitor Belfort fought Anderson Silva for Silva's UFC middleweight title. In one of the most commercially successful Anderson-headlined PPVs of his career, "The Spider" shocked Belfort with a front kick to the face, followed by pinpoint accurate punches to get the 1st round KO victory. It stands to date as the only time Belfort has ever lost a fight by KO (he has lost several times by TKO, including in his last fight).

Today, Silva is no longer the champion, and he's not won a fight since 2012. Since the Anderson loss, Vitor has challenged for both the light heavyweight and middleweight titles, and lost both times. Belfort just got crushed in round 1 by Ronaldo Souza at UFC 198, while Silva lost a February unanimous decision to current champion Michael Bisping. What's the next path for both men? Well in an interview with Combate (via MMA Fighting), Belfort expressed interest in a rematch against "The Spider."

"I have interest in any fight. A fight that has a meaning, but I think this would be a money fight, yes," Belfort said. "I have interest in big fights, and this would be a big fight, for sure. It has to be something that pleases all three sides: Anderson, Vitor and the UFC."

Belfort had initially turned down a March 5th offer to face Silva, and would later receive the Jacare fight. After the Bisping loss, Silva was scheduled to fight at UFC 198 against Uriah Hall, but withdrew from the event due to issues with his (since removed) gall bladder, which required surgery.

"The UFC does super fights. Like this one they did with Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor," he said. "If they want to do it, they have what it takes. I think that, in fact, it's a matter of negotiation, and I'd say we're also in a good phase. We did a lot for the sport and I believe this would be a good time for both of us to profit if something like this happens."

While neither man is clearly in peak form anymore, it's definitely a rematch that would at least attract interest in Brazil. The UFC's next Brazil card is planned for September 24th, and this could certainly be a viable option as the event's headliner.