Following an unsuccessful attempt to reclaim the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort will return to the middleweight division to face Michael “The Count” Bisping on January 19, 2013 in Brazil. UFC officials announced plans for the main event bout earlier today.

Belfort moved up to 205 pounds in September to challenge UFC champion Jon “Bones” Jones, but fell victim to a fourth-round keylock. He had won seven of his past eight fights prior to the setback. Bisping has won five of his past six and appears to be one win away from a middleweight title shot.

Belfort (21-10-0) has fought for titles on two occasions since making his return to the Octagon with a victory in September 2009. Following a lengthy layoff, Belfort was matched up against middleweight ace Anderson “The Spider” Silva at UFC 126 and suffered a first-round knockout loss. He rebounded with quick stoppages of Yoshihiro Akiyama and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson before accepting a short-notice opportunity to compete for the 205-pound title, which he once wore in 2004. Belfort’s bid for the belt ended in defeat, but he showcased his underrated ground skills by nearly submitting Jones with an armbar in the first round. Now returning to 185, the hard-hitting veteran looks to put a stop to Bisping’s run towards the middleweight title.

Bisping (23-4-0) has found himself on the cusp of title contention on multiple occasions, but untimely losses have repeatedly kept the British standout just one step away from a UFC championship fight. Bisping brought a four-fight winning streak into his January bout against two-time middleweight title challenger Chael Sonnen, but dropped a razor-thin decision. He bounced back with a big victory over former WEC titleholder “All American” Brian Stann at UFC 152 and is now once again seemingly one win away from receiving a shot at Anderson Silva’s title. Like Belfort, Bisping prefers to end his fights with strikes and he has posted 14 knockout wins to date.

UFC: “Belfort vs Bisping” takes place on January 19, 2013 at a city to be determined in Brazil. The event is expected to air on FX or Fuel TV.

UFC: “Belfort vs Bisping” Fight Card (to date; subject to change):

– Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort vs Michael “The Count” Bisping
– C.B. “The Doberman” Dollaway vs Daniel Sarafian
– Gabriel “Napão” Gonzaga vs “Big” Ben Rothwell
– Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov vs Thiago Tavares

– Godofredo “Pepey” Castro vs Milton “Miltinho” Vieira
– Ronny Markes vs Andrew Craig
– Diego “The Gun” Nunes vs Nik “The Carny” Lentz
– Edson Barboza vs Justin “J-Bomb” Salas
– Michael “Judo” Kuiper vs Thiago “Bodao” de Oliveira Perpetuo
– Iuri “Marajo” Alcantara vs George “Money” Roop
– Wagner “Caldeirao” Prado vs Roger “The Hulk” Hollett
– Francisco “Massaranduba” Trinaldo vs C.J. Keith

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)