Dana White recently stated that he's trying to book Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort for the UFC Middleweight title, pending Belfort defeating Jorge Santiago at Affliction: Trilogy in August. With the Middleweight division running out of contenders for Anderson, it has brought of the question of whether or not Belfort would receive an immediate title shot against Silva. Here's how the UFC middleweight division pans out for this summer:

• Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin at UFC 101 on August 8 (non-title fight at 205 lbs)
• Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping at UFC 100 on July 11
• Nate Marquardt vs. Demain Maia at UFC 102 on August 29
• Yushin Okami expects September return (via MMAJunkie.com)
  

White has said if Bisping is victorious over Henderson, then he will face Silva next, likely at UFC 105 in Manchester, England. If Henderson is victorious, it jumbles the division up. White has not mentioned a scenario if the former PRIDE champion defeats Bisping. With UFC 105 being rumored for November 14, Marquardt or Maia would have 10 weeks to make that date. Even though both men are top contenders, they each have clouds above their title shots: Marquardt was destroyed by Silva at UFC 73 in July 2007 and the UFC doesn't want a repeat of Silva/Leites if they put Maia into a title match. White also mentioned if Wanderlei Silva and Marquardt were victorious, they would face each other (obviously won't happen). Okami should be ready for UFC 105 but he hasn't fought on a main card since UFC 82. Former WEC matchmaker Scott Adams was reprimanded for not showcasing Mike Brown before his title fight against Urijah Faber so what's to say Joe Silva wouldn't feel some heat in this situation?

It's pretty evident that Anderson will be able to go, barring injury, on November 14. Hypothetically, if Henderson and Maia are both victorious, would Belfort jump straight into a UFC title match? Former champions have had mixed results in their return to the octagon. BJ Penn's return was a #1 contender match with Georges St-Pierre at UFC 58. Jens Pulver fought Joe Lauzon at UFC 63, resulting in a huge upset win for Lauzon. The only former champion in recent history to return straight to a title shot was Randy Couture at UFC 68. If we're in the Henderson/Maia situation and the UFC decides not to give either a title shot, they would be down to Belfort or Okami. In this situation, given Belfort's recent run in Affliction and his history with the UFC, he would get the shot before Okami. Belfort has been known to finish fights, in brutal fashion, and would give Silva the challenge he's needed at 185. He's on a tear right now, with devastating knockouts of Terry Martin and Matt Lindland. A similar victory against Jorge Santiago will make him big money with the UFC and maybe warrant an instant title shot. With Okami, you run the risk of Anderson fending off takedowns for 25 minutes and peppering Okami on the outside. Okami hasn't been seen on a main card since in over a year so he's not that fresh in the in the mind of the average fan. Belfort is the more exciting fight for the UFC to put on, given the past two title defenses for Silva. Of course, this is a moot point if Bisping defeats Henderson or the UFC gives a title shot to the Marquardt/Maia winner, but Belfort is the more intriguing and exciting fight for the fans and Anderson Silva.

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