UFC 103 Switch, Now Rich Franklin v Vitor Belfort in Main Event

Former UFC middleweight champion “Ace” Rich Franklin (26-4) will roll out the crimson carpet welcoming former UFC light heavyweight champion “Phenom” Vitor Belfort (17-8) back into the Octagon at UFC 103 in Dallas 19 September, announced UFC President Dana White Friday afternoon.

Belfort will replace “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (25-7) who defeated Franklin by split decision at UFC 93 in Dublin 17 January. White indicated fan disappointment with the Hendo’ v Franklin rematch as cause for the switch.

The fight will be contested at 205 pounds, neither Franklin nor Belfort’s best weight.

Belfort knocked out “The Law” Matt Lindland (21-6) in 37 seconds at Affliction in Anaheim 24 January and was scheduled to match-up versus Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago (21-7) in Anaheim Saturday before Affliction cancelled their third event and closed up shop on promoting.

Franklin took a UD over “Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1) in a 195-pound catchweight match-up at UFC 99 in Cologne 13 June.