During a Tuesday UFC press conference in Japan, middleweight Yoshihiro Akiyama announced that he’d be fighting Wanderlei Silva early next year, likely in February at UFC 110 in Las Vegas or UFC 111 in Sydney, Australia. The matchup, originally rumored for UFC 108 in January, would be featured on the UFC 110 card or could potentially headline the UFC’s Australian debut.

“I believe Anderson would destroy Belfort.I think it’s a very interesting fight. Belfort has good boxing skills and is a good athlete, but everybody knows that he has a weak psychological aspect and I think he will shake when he gets in the Octagon with (Silva).
Of course [Belfort and I] will fight. I want this [...]

UFC middleweight Yoshihiro Akiyama, who earned a split decision over Alan Belcher in July in his UFC debut, will begin training with Shawn Tompkins and Xtreme Couture beginning in October, according to Sherdog.com.

Tompkins told Sherdog that he did not know who or when Akiyama would be fighting next, but Bloody Elbow’s Luke Thomas tweeted on Monday that Akiyama could fight Wanderlei Silva at UFC 108 on January 2 in Las Vegas.

According to Michael Bisping’s latest blog entry, the British middleweight won’t be fighting Wanderlei Silva in the main event of UFC 105 on November 14 in Manchester, England as previously rumored:

Quick update on the potential Wanderlei Silva fight. Unfortunately thats not gonna happen. He’s undergone facial surgery, so obviously won’t be fighting in the near future. Rumours are he’s actually out for the rest of the year.

First reported by Dana White at Friday's UFC 101 Q&A session, and officially announced Monday by Spike TV, The Best of Pride Fighting Championships series starts January 11, 2010 at 11pm on Spike. The show will be a weekly one hour series following a similar format to that of the UFC Unleashed, and will be hosted by former Maxim Magazine "Hometown Hotties" finalist Kenda Perez.

Rumors of middleweights Wanderlei Silva and Michael Bisping squaring off in November at UFC 105 are just that, according to Silva’s manager, who issued a statement on Thursday afternoon through Fighters Only commenting on the rumored matchup and Silva’s desire to wait until February for his next bout:

“Of course, there is speculation that such a fight will occur and certainly there remains a possibility of such a match-up. However, at this time, rumors of the fight occurring at UFC 105, are simply that. This fight has not been discussed or offered to us by the UFC. Wand’s preference is to fight in February. He wants to take time off to heal his body and mind.”

A middleweight showdown between Wanderlei Silva and Michael Bisping is reportedly in the works to headline UFC 105, which takes place on November 14 in Manchester, England.

Silva, who will be making his middleweight debut in the bout, is coming off back-to-back losses to Quinton Jackson and Rich Franklin, while Bisping suffered a knockout to Dan Henderson at UFC 100 earlier this month.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell will reportedly not retire despite the wishes of Dana White, with rumors swirling that he could return to action this fall, possibly for a bout against Rich Franklin.

The anticipated showdown between TUF 10 coaches Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans is expected to headline UFC 107 on December 19 in Las Vegas.

Continue reading for the latest MMA news and notes in MMAFrenzy.com’s Quick Hits…

The complete rumored cast for TUF 10 has been revealed, Urijah Faber has been medically suspended until December 4th, the UFC is interested in Josh Barnett if he can beat Fedor, Wanderlei Silva is calling for a rematch with Rich Franklin, and much more in MMAFrenzy.com's latest Quick Hits.

UFC 99, which took place on Saturday at the Lanxess, Arena in Cologne, Germany, drew an official attendance of 12,800 for a $1.3 million live gate. UFC President Dana White announced the figures at the post-UFC 99 press conference. White also announced that $60,000 bonuses were awarded to Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva (Fight of the Night), Mike Swick (Knockout of the Night), and Terry Etim (Submission of the Night).

In a clash of former champions, Rich Franklin defeated Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision on Saturday in Cologne, Germany in the main event of UFC 99: The Comeback. Cain Velasquez, Mirko "Cro Cop", Mike Swick, Spencer Fisher, and Dan Hardy also picked up main card victories at the event.

All 24 UFC 99 fighters, including headliners Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin, successfully made weight on Friday at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany for their bouts, which take place at the venue on Saturday and air live on pay-per-view.

Brazilian UFC legend Wanderlei Silva reveals his desire for a fourth, and possibly fifth fight, with Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in an exclusive interview in Fighters Only Magazine: “I want to fight him again. I want to fight him now, and maybe in the final (fight of my career.).”

Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin will train with current 185-pound title-holder Anderson Silva for his UFC 99 195-pound catchweight headliner against Wanderlei Silva, according to the Dayton Daily News. According to the report, Franklin will spend some time away from his traditional camp with Matt Hume in Seattle to train with Silva in California.