With Josh Barnett out of the bout due to him returning a positive drugs test, speculation surrounding a replacement to face Fedor Emelianenko included names such as Brett Rogers and Jeff Monson. The recurring name though was Vitor Belfort, and Belfort had previously stated his willingness to fight the Russian.
Shawn Tompkins, the head trainer at Xtreme Couture where Belfort is now based, told The Fight Network that the fight has been signed and therefore putting an end to the speculation.
Belfort was due to fight on the card at middleweight against Jorge Santiago but an increase in pay coupled with other added incentives involved in a bout with Emelianenko have obviously swayed him.
Other rumours exist with Jake Shields being slated to take Belfort's spot against Santiago. More on that as we find out.
