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There’s going to be a lot to look forward to at UFC 142, but one of the greatest storylines will be Brazil’s own Vitor Belfort fighting in his own backyard.

Every young athlete dreams of coming back to play in front of his or her hometown, and I’m sure the same is true in MMA.

Things are obviously a little bit different because there are no “teams” per se, but sport is sport, and there’s no denying that UFC fighters are top-notch athletes.

For Belfort, also known as “The Phenom,” it has to be great to be back at home, as he was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

For all intents and purposes he seems to be focused on the task at hand though, according to quotes on fighters.com reported by Jack Burton:

“My head is on today,” Belfort explains in the clip. “Tomorrow will take care of (itself). Today is the day. Today is the day that counts. I’m gonna make every day count so on (January 14) will be the day I’m gonna perform my athleticism, techniques…but if I don’t take care of today tomorrow may not come. So we take care of today.”

Belfort’s head may be on today, but I can help but look forward to his showdown with Anthony Johnson at UFC 142.

You don’t gain the nickname “The Phenom” for nothing, and Belfort has done everything he can to live up to the lofty expectations that come with it with a 20-9 record according to UFC.com.

His opponent is no slouch though, as Johnson brings in a 10-3 record, and his own intimidating nickname: “Rumble.”

It’s bound to be a good bout, and it will be a storyline that I keep my eyes on.

The hometown hero always gets quite an awe-inspiring ovation in sports, and I expect Belfort will deliver a fight to match it.

UFC 142 Fight Card

Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes

Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson

Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenzio

Erick Silva vs. Carlo Prater

Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim

Thiago Tavares vs. Sam Stout

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Ednaldo Oliveira

Yuri Alcantara vs. Michihiro Omigawa

Ricardo Funch vs. Mike Pyle

Felipe Arantes vs. Antonio Carvalho

Via UFC.com

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Ronda Rousey may be the most intimidating athlete that I have ever seen, and she’s certainly a force to be reckoned with in MMA and the women’s Strikeforce circuit.

At this point, it seems like she may be unstoppable.

She has everything that you look for in a fighter.

She’s incredibly athletic, very technically sound and performs her techniques with a level of skill and aggression that is unmatched right now in women’s Strikeforce.

In a sport that is so physically imposing to both perform and watch, technique seems to be the thing that gets thrown out the window, especially by viewers.

I can guarantee you that Rousey does not neglect practicing her techniques.

Of course everybody wants to see that knockout punch and bloody noses, but isn’t a perfect armbar technique just as effective?

Just ask Julia Budd how she is feeling after Rousey absolutely mangled her elbow with a beautifully executed armbar.

It may not be “sexy” like a throw or punch, and the wrestling and grappling side of the sport is certainly not as glamorous.

There is no doubting the fact that Rousey is quickly becoming the face of women’s MMA. Since entering her professional scene, her record stands at 4-0 and none of those fights have lasted longer than 57 seconds.

They all ended because of that armbar.

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Author: Andrew Kulha

UFC 142 Fight Card: Hometown Hero Vitor Belfort Will Be an Epic Storyline

Ronda Rousey Video: Women’s Strikeforce Fighter Dislocates Julia Budd’s Elbow