LAS VEGAS — It’s clear that Anderson Silva has already made the shift into fight mode. On Wednesday, the UFC champ and his challenger Vitor Belfort went eye-to-eye for the first time in the days prior to their UFC 126 clash. The taller Silva crowded into Belfort’s personal space, looking down at him with a subtle sneer, while Belfort’s face painted a quieter picture of simple determination. Belfort turned away from the staredown first, but Silva would not look away, clearly and purposely glaring at Belfort for three or four seconds afterward. So what’s he thinking?
“He’s a worthy contender,” Silva said. “He’s in good condition and I’m ready for him.”
With words, he didn’t have much to say, yet his body language was unmistakable. He was trying to send a message. But what was it? Years ago, Silva and Belfort were friends, yet today Silva couldn’t even bring himself to admit Belfort was one of the best strikers he’d ever faced. It’s the forgotten storyline of UFC 126 that this fight has become very personal to a very motivated Anderson Silva.