The on again off again relationship between Vitor Belfort (18-8) and the UFC is on again, and the “Phenom” who blasted through competition like Wanderlei Silva, Terry Martin and most recently highly regarded middleweight Matt Lindland - has made his way back into the UFC fold.


Now fighting primarily at middleweight, the Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt was rumored to be one of the potential replacement fighters for Josh Barnett but the fight with Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction “Trilogy” vaporized when the mixed martial arts arm of Affliction ceased operations and signed a deal to sponsor the UFC instead.


Belfort was originally scheduled to fight Jorge Santiago on the Affliction card and has now signed on to fight former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin in the main event of UFC 103 in Dallas, Texas replacing Dan Henderson in the main event.


Henderson has been rumored to be dropped from the card entirely, and could be next in line to face current middleweight champion Anderson Silva in a rematch.