At UFC 142, Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort will lock horns with Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, the newest addition to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s 185-lb. division. By the end of the proceedings, however, Belfort will leave the Octagon the victor and with a KO to boot.
Almost 14 years ago, back in 1998, Belfort stepped into the Octagon at UFC Brazil, that was the first time he’d fought in front of his fellow countrymen whilst being a resident of the Zuffa-based promotion.
It was also the first time he tangled with his compatriot, the legendary Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva.
That would be an epic night for the former UFC light heavyweight champion as he clinically and systematically decimated Silva in 44 seconds of the first round.
The speed and punching power which he demonstrated against Silva and has continued to exhibit throughout his MMA career (most recently against Yoshihiro Akiyama) will stand him in good stead when the horn sounds to get his matchup with Johnson underway.
On the other hand, Johnson (10-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) has displayed his fair share of striking prowess (punches and kicks)—knocking out the likes of Tommy Speer, Kevin Burns, Yoshiyuki Yoshida and Charlie Brenneman.
That, however, was at welterweight and against mid-tier opposition.
Belfort (20-9 MMA, 9-5 UFC) is and has been an elite fighter for more than a decade now.
Johnson has a good wrestling base and standard jiu-jitsu in his arsenal, whilst Belfort is a black belt in the art, as well as being an accomplished judoka.
I doubt any of that will matter come fight night as I see this as a stand-and-bang affair, that’s unless Johnson has other plans to take matters to the mat, but even if that’s the case, expect Belfort to negate all attempts.
Belfort recently said the following:
“He’s a lion, but I’m a lion, and when we get there I’m going to roar. I’m going to roar on that day. I respect him, but on that day the cage belongs to me so that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to earn it.”
The bottom line is this: As long as the Phenom brings the same mentality he brought to Brazil the last time around, he wins this matchup, but even more importantly, he’ll register a KO—in the first round.
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