The UFC, in its ever-ambitious quest to keep doing what works, returns to Brazil for UFC on FX 8, which will showcase native son Vitor Belfort in what could be a very exciting and important match against Luke Rockhold. Belfort’s last two title shots have been less than impressive, as Anderson Silva knocked him out in the first round at UFC 126 and Jon Jones got him to tap in the fourth round at UFC 152. Despite those losses, Belfort remains one of the top contenders in the Middleweight division, and with yet another win in front of his fellow countrymen, he could soon find himself squaring off against Silva once again.

But Belfort will have to get through Rockhold first (and then wait for Chris Weidman’s shot, natch) and that might not be very easy. Rockhold is one of the former Strikeforce fighters that a lot of people have been waiting to see in the UFC, as he was the reigning Middleweight champion when the promotion folded. Rockhold won the title in 2011 and successfully defended it twice, but a shoulder injury would have stopped a third defense from happening last November, if the event hadn’t ultimately been canceled.

So for those of us who appreciate the new blood and want to see Silva face a wider variety of talent like Georges St-Pierre in the Welterweight division, this main event could end up being very special if Rockhold wins. Otherwise, we can look forward to Silva-Belfort II down the road.

As always, join us tomorrow night at 9 PM ET for UFC on FX 8, as we will have one of our award-winning live discussions (our last chat was named Best in Show at Westminster). Check out the entire fight card after the jump, and bring your best LOLs and OHSNAPs for tomorrow night’s free fights.

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Fighters Luke Rockhold and Daniel Cormier took in a San Jose Earthquakes soccer game, palled around with the mascot a little and participated in the ceremonial First Goal, which is like the first pitch at a baseball game, but with your legs. As if guided by the hand of God himself, one of the kicks sent a soccer ball crashing into a big fuzzy blue guy’s genitals, and good lord, how would I not blog that?

UFC fighter Luke Rockhold didn’t score the ceremonial “First Goal” at the San Jose Earthquakes’ match vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, but he did leave his mark by drilling club mascot ‘Q’ in the groin. Fellow UFC fighter Daniel Cormier did find the net with his attempt.

More like Luke Cuckold, am I right?

Daniel Cormier’s next stop is his UFC debut against Frank Mir at UFC on Fox 7 on April 20. Rockhold’s next stop is his UFC debut against Vitor Belfort at May’s UFC on FX 8. Q’s next stop is the infirmary, assuming they have some kind of mascot version of that, and assuming the mascot infirmary is mature enough to repair a dude’s junk.

[h/t to Maggie at Cagewriter]

Luke Rockhold and Tim Kennedy are my new favorite fighters.

What’s an MMA promotion without a villain? Veteran fighter Frank Shamrock gives a crash course in evil to two of the sport’s nicest guys: Luke Rockhold and Tim Kennedy.

In case you were worried that MMA fighters were too tough and serious, this video features the fighters building a Strikeforce Middleweight Championship bout by spray-painting a Mother Theresa mural, saving a cat (real or otherwise) from a tree before its cut down and helping old ladies cross the street. It’s the best kind of hype video, in that it makes fight fans type “f**king sucked” into YouTube comments sections.

You can check out the video below. Well done, Showtime.

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