Chris Weidman's next fight opponent Vitor Belfort has questioned the UFC middleweight champion's injury, as "The Phenom" believes that "All-American" wanted to "keep the belt for Christmas."
Chris Weidman's next fight was originally scheduled for UFC 181 on December 6th in Las Vegas, but was moved to February 2015 due a hand injury the champion suffered during training.
Instead, the said fight card would be headlined by reigning welterweight champion Johny Hendricks as he puts his title on the line in a rematch against Robbie Lawler.
Trainer Ray Longo promised that his fighter would be back stronger once he has completed his rehabilitation and comes out fully healed.
"Everything happens for a reason," Longo said in a report by MMA Fighting. "We're going to get Chris healthy and then we're going to steamroll this guy. Believe me."
Vitor Belfort, on the other hand, is highly skeptical about the champion's injury, which ultimately led to the postponement of Chris Weidman's next fight. Belfort added that this is not the first time that Weidman pulled out of a title fight due to an ailment.
"I didn't believe in the beginning, after all, it's his second straight belt defense that had to be delayed because of an injury," Belfort told Brazilian news outlet Combate. "I think that all titleholders that have more than one injury, the UFC should create an interim title in their divisions."
"Nobody would lose, not the fans, not the fighters, not the UFC, only the injured athlete," he added.
"The Phenom" further questioned Weidman's situation, adding that it may have been brought on by an ulterior motive.
"Injuries are part of the sport, because we have to train at a high level pace," Belfort reasoned. "But hurting himself twice in a row with such little time of career? Are you kidding me? To me, he wanted to keep his belt during the Christmas and that was the only way."
