The UFC returns to the FX Network tonight for key middleweight clash between former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort and former Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold. This evening’s 13 fight card has a scheduled start time of 9:00pm ET; it will take place at the Arena Jaragua in Jaragua, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The latest UFC Fight Predictions and Odds have Rockhold listed as a -135 moneyline favorite ($135 wins $100) to defeat Belfort on his home turf in Brazil.

 

Luke Rockhold will make his UFC debut tonight, but he has already made his made his promotional intentions clear; he wants to wrap the middleweight belt around his waist. The first step for the former Strikeforce champion in that process is veteran fighter Vitor Belfort.

 

Rockhold is less experienced than Belfort, having fought in just 11 fights as a professional; however, he is 10-0 in his last 10 fights with wins over solid opponents like Tim Kennedy and Ronaldo Souza. Rockhold also brings an incredibly well-rounded game into the cage as his background in wrestling, kickboxing, judo, and jiu-jitsu would attest.

 

Belfort, who is known for his power and quickness, owns a 22-10 record as a professional fighter and he enters tonight’s scrap on a nice 9-2 run. Belfort, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, two most recent losses came against middleweight champion Anderson Silva and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

 

Belfort’s last three wins were all finishes as he earned a first round KO/TKO against Yoshihiro Akiyama, a first round submission of Anthony Johnson, and a second round KO/TKO of Michael Bisping.

 

 

Vitor Belfort +105 vs Luke Rockhold -135
Rafael Natal -300 vs Joao Zeferino +240
Rafael dos Anjos -180 vs Evan Dunham +150
Ronaldo Souza -650 vs Chris Camozzi +450
Nik Lentz -140 vs Hacran Dias +110
Gleison Tibau -220 vs John Cholish +170
Francisco Trinaldo -340 vs Mike Rio +260
Paulo Thiago -200 vs Michel Prazeres +160
Fabio Maldonado -250 vs Roger Hollett +190
Yuri Alcantara -500 vs Iliarde Santos +300
Lucas Martins -300 vs Jeremy Larsen +240
Jussier Formiga -140 vs Chris Cariaso +110
John Lineker -120 vs Azamat Gashimov -110