RUMOR: Anderson Silva Vs. Vitor Belfort in January 2010

The L.A. Times claims to have learned that both middleweight champion Anderson Silva and "The Phenom" Vitor Belfort have verbally agreed to meet in the octagon at UFC 108 on the second day of 2010.

Dana White made it no secret that he felt Vitor was a threat to Silva after his first round KO of Rich Franklin, and didn't exclude the possibility of him challenging the untouchable Silva for the belt.  This somewhat illustrates the lone island Silva is standing on in the UFC's 185 pound division, having vanquished all possible contenders to the lower ranks with more than decisive defeats, and passing time by going up in weight and knocking off a light-heavyweight or two.

Even though Vitor only has one fight in the UFC versus Franklin at a catchweight of 195 pounds since Superbowl weekend of 2005, White made it very clear that Vitor's home was in the middleweight division.  To sweeten the pot, Belfort and Silva were occasional training partners together at Black House, but the pair appear to have maintained a good relationship and mutual respect for one another.

Belfort and Silva are easily two of the more accomplished strikers in the history of MMA, with both fighters epitomizing top-level technique and featuring blinding speed, although Belfort's style smacks mostly of western boxing while Silva's is a Muay Thai based onslaught of many weapons.

It's invigorating to have a fresh  face and an interesting new threat in a MW division that Silva has thoroughly dominated.  I'll be counting the days to this one.