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[pa99fighter]

Alan Belcher (11-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC), who had to pull out of this past weekend’s UFC 81 event with bronchitis, will take on Patrick Cote (12-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) at an April 19 UFC 83 event at Montreal’s Bell Centre.

Belcher today told MMAjunkie.com (UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com) that he’s accepted the bout.

UFC President White confirmed that Cote will be part of the fight card during Monday’s UFC 83 press conference, which was attended by UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra and interim champ (and French-Canadian) Georges St. Pierre, who meet in the night’s main event.

Belcher was supposed to fight Ricardo Almeida at this past weekend’s UFC 81 event, but he had to pull out of the televised fight on just three days’ notice. As MMAjunkie.com reported earlier this week, the fight with Cote was expected to go to Belcher or UFC newcomer Johnny Rees.

“I am still under the weather a bit, and I’m going back to the doctor (today),” Belcher told us. “I still have some deep coughing that you can hear real bad in my chest.“

However, he plans for a full recover in time for UFC 83, which will be the first-ever UFC event in Canada.
His opponent, Cote, has drastically improved his stock in the UFC’s middleweight division with recent victories over “The Ultimate Fighter 3” winner Kendall Grove (UFC 74) and hard-hitting Miletich fighter Drew McFedries (UFC Fight Night 12). Cote has now won his past four fights (three were in the UFC), and six of his past seven. Cote began his UFC career with four straight losses and has since posted three consecutive wins.

Belcher, a former light heavyweight, began his UFC career with a 1-2 record. However, he’s since posted back-to-back victories over Sean Salmon and Kalib Starnes. His UFC 77 fight with Starnes appeared to be “Fight of the Night” material, but the bout was stopped a couple minutes into the second round because of a deep gash on Starnes’ forehead. Belcher was credited with the TKO victory.

For the latest UFC 83 fight card, check out the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

This fight is going to be an exciting one. Cote 2nd round tko

[AJL416AZ]

ive got Belcher by decision or submission.

i just think hes more athletic and technical a striker, with a higher ceiling then Cote, who has the heart, power and chin of a high level fighter, but lacks the grappling and technical standup style

[pa99fighter]

Cote is the better Grappler and has heavier hands

[Quintessential Studmuffin]

Cote by 1st round TKO.

[Bran]

i thought cote was going to be commentating for the canadian broadcast. guess not. good fight though. if cote looks like he has in his last couple fights, he takes it, especially if belcher's not 100%

[LefthookStcrook]

Im pumped for this fight, Belcher is no slouch standing but i'll be pulling for the canuck

Cote cote cote coteee

[ArMnHC]

i hope this is a main card bout! i knew Cote was a possibility for Belcher, and im glad they set up this fight. hopefully Belcher by TKO Rd 2, this will be a huge win for either guy!

[pa99fighter]

anyone want to take an early avatar bet on this one? I got Patrick Cote

[Wolverine77]

I've been waiting for the UFC to put Belcher against someone thats going to knock him out. He's so cocky im always routing to see him lose. I was hoping to see Starnes catch him in thier fight. Im hope Cote gets a highlight KO off of Belcher.

[kennywuzhere]

i like COTE i this one....so would the MAC DANZIG fight be bumped off the main card??