Vitor Belfort vs Chad Dawson booked for Triad Combat 2 in February

Credit: Amanda Westcott/Triller

Triad Combat will return to action early in the new year, and Vitor Belfort vs Chad Dawson will face-off at the promotion’s second event.

MMAFighting broke the news on Wednesday of the Triller-owned promotion’s plans for their follow-up event. The bout between Belfort (26-14 MMA) and Dawson (36-5 boxing) will be contested at a 200-pound cruiserweight limit, and reportedly is expected to take place in February. A location and venue have yet to be determined.

Belfort made his boxing debut in an exhibition main event on Triller Fight Club’s Sept. card, against heavyweight legend Evander Holyfield. “The Phenom” had a successful first foray into the sweet science, beating “Real Deal” by technical knockout in less than two minutes. His bout against Dawson will be a second straight combat sports debut. Since Triad Combat uses a mixed set of rules that is boxing-based but also allows for clinch fighting and spinning attacks.

Vitor Belfort vs Chad Dawson set for Triad Combat’s return in Feb.

The 44-year-old Belfort was originally scheduled to face Oscar De La Hoya at the Sept. event. However, “The Golden Boy” was forced out of the bout a week before the event after being hospitalized with COVID-19. The Brazilian last competed in MMA over three years ago at UFC 224. Losing to former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida by KO.

Connecticut Boxing Hall-of-Fame alum Dawson has not competed since a unanimous decision win against Denis Grachev two years ago. The 39-year-old is a former light heavyweight champion and earned victories over boxing greats such as Antonio Tarver and Bernard Hopkins during his 18-year-run in the sport.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos is also expected to compete on the card. On Tuesday, it was reported by TMZ that he had agreed to a contract with Triller, and would make his Triad Combat debut against Kubrat Pulev.