Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Vitor Belfort (23-10 MMA, 12-6 UFC), said that he would rather return to a higher weight class than hang around at middleweight to fight the likes of Strikeforce import Tim Kennedy (16-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC).

Well, that’s just fine with UFC President Dana White:

“Then let’s do him and Rashad (Evans),”  White told reporters at yesterday’s promotional world tour. “He doesn’t want to fight Tim Kennedy? Let’s fight Rashad at 205.”

Vitor has stated that he is only interested in ‘title fights’. “The Phenom” has looked amazing in his last two octagon appearances, knocking out former Strikeforce champion Luke Rockhold and top contender Michael Bisping in the process.

The lone non-title fight that seems to interest Vitor would be versus “The American Gangster”, Chael Sonnen. But, with Chael being booked to fight Shogun Rua at next months UFC on FOX Sports 1 debut, that fight is still a long way from coming to fruition.

As for now, nothing regarding Belfort’s future is official, except for the fact that he is officially benched until White puts his stamp of approval on a prospective opponent. Rashad has been training with Vitor at the Blackzilians’ camp and would likely decline the offer to fight “The Phenom”, which indicates that Dana’s matchmaking may have a hidden message: Fight Kennedy, or don’t fight.

Who would you like to see Vitor fight next? Let’s hear it Penn Nation!