Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort

By FCF Staf

Although the Nevada State Athletic Commission informed Vitor Belfort that his next fight must take place within its jurisdiction, it looks as though the middleweight will challenge champion Chris Weidman in California.

Belfort and Weidman were originally scheduled to fight at UFC 181 on December 6th, which will be hosted by Las Vegas. Weidman was forced to withdraw due to a hand injury, however, and the UFC has yet to confirm when the bout will take place.

According to new reports from MMA Junkie and MMA Fighting, the UFC has approached the California State Athletic Commission about holding an event in Los Angeles, early next year, possibly February 28th. Although the promotion hasn’t submitted a formal application, it has reportedly informed the CSAC of its hope to have Belfort fight Weidman in the state.

The Nevada Commission has reportedly agreed to let the CSAC oversee Belfort’s drug testing regiment, which will include random blood and urine tests.

Belfort hasn’t fought since November, 2013, when he stopped Dan Henderson. The 37 year-old fighter was expected to face Weidman this past spring at UFC 173, but after he tested positive for elevated testosterone, the Nevada Commission banned TRT. Belfort, who was a TRT user, withdrew from the bout.