According to the L.A. Times, the UFC is planning/hoping/praying that Anderson Silva (25-4) will be able to defend his middleweight title against Vitor Belfort on January 2nd at UFC 108 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The main obstacle that could prevent this fight from happening is Anderson Silva's temperament elbow. Dana White recently confirmed Silva's elbow surgery and it remains to be seen what his rehab timetable is. Anderson Silva last fought at UFC 101 where he knocked out former light heavyweight champion, Forrest Griffin.

Vitor Belfort (19-8) recently rejoined the UFC after the Affliction fight promotion folded in August of this year. In Belfort's return fight he knocked out former middleweight champion, Rich Franklin, in the first round of UFC 103.

A potential fight between Belfort and Silva was rumored for months when Dana White inexplicably mention Vitor's name as a possible opponent for Anderson during the ninth season of The Ultimate Fighter.

In recent months Anderson Silva's attitude towards possible fight has become temperamental. Silva is refusing to fight Dan Henderson or Nate Marquardt, while wanting to fight former boxing great Roy Jones Jr.

It is widely believed that Anderson Silva's odd actions are due to he desire to be apart of blockbuster cards, as to receive a larger pay-per view bonus. The date of January 2nd falls into the UFC's traditional end of the year mega-card, which typically entails a large pay-per view audience. 

Currently it is rumored that Rashad Evans and Thiago Silva will fight on the card.