Weidman-Belfort rescheduled for UFC 187 on May 23rd

Photo credit: UFC Official Twitter page (@UFC)

MANILA – A stacked fight card has been set for the UFC’s annual Memorial Day Weekend event.

Headlining the event is the light heavyweight bout between reigning champion Jon Jones and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. It will be “Bones” Jones’ first fight since his release from the drug treatment facility he entered himself in mid January. “Rumble”, meanwhile, is coming off a monumental victory against former title contender Alexander Gustafsson at UFC on FOX on January 24^th.

Co-headlining the card is the long overdue middleweight title fight between champion Chris Weidman and challenger Vitor Belfort. The two were originally slated to face each other as far back as UFC 181 in December, but a string of injuries on Weidman forced the bout’s cancellations.

Also on the card are lightweights Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Sambo artist Khabib Nurmagomedov. Building himself to becoming one of the most active UFC fighters today, Cerrone is looking to solidify his spot as a top three 155-pounder, eyeing for a shot at the title. Nurmagomedov, on the other hand, aims to further extend his undefeated streak and position himself for his own number one contender slot.

Announced bouts:

Jon Jones vs. Anthony Johnson (for the UFC light heavyweight title)

Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort (for the UFC middleweight title)

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Donald Cerrone

Travis Browne vs. Andre Arlovski

Joseph Benavidez vs. John Moraga

Leo Kuntz vs. Islam Makhachev