MANILA - Mixed martial arts (MMA) legend Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon to face Rich “Ace” Franklin in the main event of UFC 103 next week.

“I'm very excited to fight a guy like him. It's going to be a fight between two [former] champions,” Belfort, a native of Brazil, said in a UFC promotional video.

Belfort broke into UFC superstardom in the late 90’s after becoming the youngest fighter to ever score a victory inside the Octagon at age 19.

Franklin, on the other hand, is a UFC superstar in his own right being a former champion in the welterweight division.

Belfort, who has a professional record of 18-8, said he sees an exciting match with Franklin (27-4, with 1 no contest) as they have similar fighting styles.

“It's going to be a pretty exciting match because I know the things that he does, he know the things that I do. We'll just see who's going to do it,” he said.

The fight, dubbed as UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort, will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

The event will also showcase the comeback of MMA legend Mirko Cro Cop of Croatia as he faces the dangerous Junior Dos Santos of Brazil.

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