Belfort wanted fight with Munoz or Romero for Interim title
Joana Prado: “I made a proposal for an interim title fight: Romero or Munoz. Weidman’s style is similar to their style. I mean, they are right handed and wrestlers.”
When Chris Weidman injured his ribs and withdrew from the Feb 28 co main event at UFC 184, UFC president Dana White called up Vitor Belfort and offered a fight for the Interim title, vs. Lyoto Machida. As White recalled it, Belfort was initially game, but after reviewing the contract with his management, he declined. “The Phenom” also declined a fight with Gegard Mousasi.
Belfort is managed by his wife, the Brazilian television personality Joana Prado Belfort. In an interview with Brazilian media giant Globo’s Extra, Prado said that they instead wanted a fight for the Interim title with Mark Munoz or Yoel Romero.
“I made a proposal for an interim title fight: Romero or Munoz,” said Joana, as translated by Fernando Arbex for BE. “Weidman’s style is similar to their style. I mean, they are right handed and wrestlers. The UFC said no and offered us Lyoto Machida but we turned that down. We thought it was better to wait until May. Our focus in camp was for a bout against Weidman. We are sad about the delays but waiting to make history.”
UFC 184 on February 28 will now be headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano.