View full size photo »

Vitor Belfort's first round knockout victory over Rich Franklin has propelled him to the top of the list of possible challengers to Anderson Silva. Of course, it helps that Dana White mentioned Belfort as a possible challenger to Silva when Vitor was still with Affliction. Despite Belfort's dominant performance at UFC 103 the top of the middleweight divisions appears to be more crowded than ever before. 

All three of the possible contenders --Vitor Belfort, Dan Henderson and Nate Marquardt-- have knocked out their last opponent. Couple that with impressive resumes and serious name recognition and the UFC has three fighters potentially lined up to fight their pound-for-pound king. 

Yet the picture is not so rosy at the top of the division. Silva is refusing to fight Henderson or Marquardt unless they fight each other and Henderson is currently in contract negotiations with Zuffa. Dan is channeling his inner Anderson Silva and is refusing to fight Marquardt claiming that he was promised a title shot (which he sort of was). Now the arrival of a third party, in Vitor Belfort, and the top of the middleweight division appears to be log-jammed. 

The deciding factor will be Anderson Silva and who he wants to fight.

Dana White did confirm that the champion will undergo elbow surgery possibly preventing him from fighting in early 2010. 

UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort coverage