Somewhat lost in the news that Vitor Belfort would be unable to fight Matt Lindland on Affliction's October 11 card due to a hand injury is a rumor that is much juicier. MMAWeekly.com is reporting that Affliction is looking to replace Belfort in that fight with EliteXC welterweight champ Jake Shields.

According to the report, no deal has been agreed to and the principals in the equation are dancing around the issue when questioned about it. Here's what Shields says about the potential fight:

“Right now I have a really good offer on the table to fight a top 185-pounder. I’m just waiting, hoping Elite (XC) will give me that opportunity to go out there and represent Elite and test myself.”

Affliction VP Tom Atencio only says this on the matter:

“I don’t confirm anything until I have all the papers signed."

and:

“Jake’s a great fighter, but nonetheless it doesn’t matter because we don’t have him. That’s a fighter that Pro Elite has.”

This is the kind of matchup that gets MMA fans excited about the new cooperative era in the sport. Shields is considered one of the top welterweights in the world but has no viable opponents in EliteXC as he's run through opponent after opponent on the way to a title. Lindland is likewise considered one of the top middleweights in the world although he looked rusty in a decision victory on Affliction's debut card. With Belfort out of the equation, Lindland also doesn't have any suitable opponents.

If both promotions can make this fight happen, it's win-win for the fighters, for the promotions, and for MMA fans. And, it's the only way promotions like EliteXC and Affliction will be able to compete with the UFC.

Kudos to Affliction not only for their aggressive talent acquisition but also for thinking outside the box with bouts like this one.

For all the details, head over to MMAWeekly.com.

(Photo of Matt Lindland courtesy of Affliction Web site.)