By FCF Staff In response to the news that Chael Sonnen has been suspended by the California State Athletic Commission, for allegedly testing positive for steroids, Vitor Belfort has been removed from UFC 122 and will face Anderson Silva sometime in early 2011.
The UFC has confirmed that Nate Marquardt (pictured left) will now face Yushin Okami at UFC 122, November 13th in Oberhausen, Germany, and while the official announcement made no mention of Belfort, UFC President Dana White posted the following statement on his Twitter account.
"Vitor is not injured. He is going to fight anderson for the title and the winner of marquart and okami are next."
Sonnen had been granted an immediate rematch with Silva for early 2011, following his loss to the champion last month, however, due to his one year suspension Sonnen could be unable to fight until next fall. The middleweight is reportedly going to launch an official appeal with the CSAC.
Marquardt (30-9-2) is coming off a first round, TKO stoppage over Rousimar Palhares at a UFC Fight Night card on September 15th. Marquardt is 4-1 in his last five fights with his only loss during that stretch coming against Sonnen, who defeated him by Unanimous Decision in February.
Okami (25-5) has won back-to-back fights over Lucio Linhares and more recently Mark Munoz, after losing by Unanimous Decision to Sonnen in October. Like Marquardt, Okami is also 4-1 in his last five bouts.
