“We just signed Vitor Belfort,” White stated. “Vitor Belfort is now fighting Rich Franklin at UFC 103 . . . It is now Rich Franklin versus Vitor Belfort headlining Dallas.”

The light heavyweight fight was initially announced two weeks back, however fans scoffed at the notion of having the rematch headline the UFC’s return to the Lone Star State.

“Fans didn’t like it, there was backlash so we changed it,” White said.

Hendo took a controversial split decision over the former high school math teacher in their first meeting at UFC 93 in Dublin, Ireland.

Since that light heavyweight tango, each has fought just once. Henderson is fresh off one of the most devastating knockout wins in his career as he slapped Michael Bisping silly last weekend at UFC 100.

Franklin most recently took a unanimous decision victory over Wanderlei Silva in a 195-pound catchweight bout at UFC 99 in Cologne, Germany last month.

The next thing that came out of Dana’s mouth must have had Hendo doing cartwheels as he has now leapfrogged into a title fight.

“Dan Henderson is definitely next in line for the title shot [at Anderson Silva],” White stated.

And when exactly will that five round affair take place?

So when will Henderson get his next title shot?

“It depends on what happens next week [at UFC 101],” White said. “If [Silva] doesn’t get busted or have injuries, it could be very soon.”