Vitor Belfort turns down Tim Kennedy bout, will only fight at Middleweight for the title

Chris Trotman

Brazil's Globo is reporting that UFC Middleweight contender Vitor Belfort refused an offer to fight Tim Kennedy and is insisting he'll only fight at 185 pounds if it is for the title. MMA Junkie translated the comments of Vitor's wife and manager Joana Prado:

"It doesn't make sense that Vitor, who is No. 1 in the rankings, should fight against No. 2, No. 6 or No. 10 in his weight class," Prado said. "His next fight in the middleweight class will be against the winner of Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva. If the UFC wishes him to fight in any class above middleweight, we are at their disposal. It can be anyone, Tim Kennedy, even Roy Nelson, but it has to be at 205 pounds or heavyweight - he'll even fight as a heavyweight. Vitor wants to fight, but in his weight class, only if for the belt."

For his part UFC president Dana White thinks Belfort is barking up the wrong tree. From the UFC on Fox 8 post-fight presser, "Vitor, for some insane reason, believes he should get the fight with Weidman or Anderson Silva right now," White said. "He's out of his mind."

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