Here’s the backstory–word on the streets is that Vitor Belfort has a hand injury that will prevent him from fighting Matt Lindland on the forthcoming Affliction: Day of Reckoning card. That’s neither been confirmed or denied by any of the parties involved. The rumor d’jour seems to validate that and is especially interesting given the affiliation of one of the principles: FightTicker is reporting that Affliction is trying to work out a deal to pit EliteXC welterweight champ against Lindland at 185. While no one is confirming anything, the denials all around sure make it seem like something is in the works. We concur with FightTicker’s assessment of the situation:

This is the kind of matchup that gets MMA fans excited about the new cooperative era in the sport. Shields is considered one of the top welterweights in the world but has no viable opponents in EliteXC as he’s run through opponent after opponent on the way to a title. Lindland is likewise considered one of the top middleweights in the world although he looked rusty in a decision victory on Affliction’s debut card. With Belfort out of the equation, Lindland also doesn’t have any suitable opponents.

If both promotions can make this fight happen, it’s win-win for the fighters, for the promotions, and for MMA fans. And, it’s the only way promotions like EliteXC and Affliction will be able to compete with the UFC.

Kudos to Affliction not only for their aggressive talent acquisition but also for thinking outside the box with bouts like this one.

There’s some precedent to this arrangement from EliteXC, as they’ve let quite a few competitors under contract (Nick Diaz, Eddie Alverez) fight for DREAM in Japan. Obviously, letting them fight on another promotion’s card in the states is a different matter entirely but could be a big step for the sport in the US.

Rumor of the day: Shields to face Lindland @ FightTicker