Vitor Belfort (24-10 mixed martial arts, 13-6 UFC) stopped Dan Henderson (29-11 MMA, 6-5 UFC) 77 seconds into their UFC Fight Night 32 bout with a knockout via a kick to the head on Saturday night at the Goiania Arena in Brazil.
In the process, the 36-year-old Belfort loudly proclaimed his case for a title shot.
The victory was impressive, entertaining and thorough.
In the entirety of his career, the 43-year-old Henderson had never been stopped by strikes. Not even his chin could withstand a head kick from Belfort, however.
This fight started slowly with each veteran using the first minute to get a feel for the other. Shortly after that, however, Belfort landed a huge left uppercut that stunned Henderson and sent him to the mat.
Henderson withstood Belfort‘s attack initially, as Belfort let fly with left and rights, but Belfort found a hole and landed a viscous head kick to end the fight.
For those keeping track at home, that is the third straight time Belfort has ended a fight with a highlight-reel head kick.
Back in January, Michael Bisping was the victim of a Belfort head kick, and in May, Luke Rockhold found the same fate.
These kinds of knockouts are quickly increasing Belfort‘s drawing power, and the veteran has now won 10 of his past 12 bouts.
UFC head honcho Dana White was impressed:
Silva would be UFC legend Anderson Silva, and The Spider will be trying to reclaim his middleweight title against Chris Weidman next month in Las Vegas.
Belfort and Silva have battled before. That came in 2011, and that fight also ended with a head kick. Of course, Belfort was on the receiving end of that one.
While that rematch would be thrilling, Belfort deserves better if Silva loses. He deserves a title shot, and even White seems to acknowledge that fact:
I understand White’s desire to have Silva and Belfort get in the Octagon together. However, that can’t get in the way of allowing Belfort to have the title shot he has earned.
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