Last week, I put up an article arguing that the UFC’s choice to pit Vitor Belfort against Jon Jones to replace the injured Dan Henderson made absolutely no sense. While I still hold firm to that belief (there are plenty of other fights that would make more sense), I have to say Belfort is growing on me.
His media calls in the past few days have shown a joyous, rejuvenated Belfort who, only months ago, was looking into the abyss of his career after pulling out of a fight against Wanderlei Silva.
He now stands to fight for the light heavyweight title in a story that is more compelling and intriguing than any other fight could be made against Jones at this time.
In an interview with AXS TV’s Inside MMA on Monday, Belfort told hosts Bas Rutten and Kenny Rice:
“It’s a journey, I accomplished a lot of things in my life. I accomplished the tournament, I fight two guys, I’m the youngest champion ever, I’m fighting the youngest champion in the new generation. I’m the old lion, he’s the young lion, but I’m hungry… I’m just so pleasured to fight a guy like Jon Jones, being the greatest fighter of all time. He’s improving the sport, he’s a young guy with a lot of abilities, so it’s such an honour for a guy like me, whose been around for 17 years to fight a guy like Jon Jones.”
In his broken English, Belfort has got me excited for this match. Any great fight needs a story behind it, a historical narrative which brought the two combatants together. Belfort’s talk of “young lion” and “old lion” is almost Hemingway-esque (see Old Man and the Sea).
He feels confident he has what it takes to face Jones. The Brazilian says he walks around at 210 and is looking forward to not having to cut weight for his forthcoming fight. Asked by Rutten about how ready he is to take this fight on only a few weeks’ notice, Belfort said:
“Bro… we are old school guys… A lot of fighters today they are more into the sport, the new generation, they’re getting prepared, they’re studying their opponents. We are the type of fighters that adapted to fight. We’re ready to fight, tomorrow, in the gym. I used to fight in the Carlson Gracie time and we fight every day in the gym. So taking this fight in such short notice and going up a division, it’s an awesome journey in myself.”
Belfort feels lucky and honoured for the chance to fight for the title against Jon Jones and if he wins, would be the second time he’s held the belt at 205. But while the likes of Dan Henderson and others have rained criticism on Jones for ducking Chael Sonnen when he was offered that fight, Belfort refuses to say anything bad about the champion.
“I cannot judge anyone. Everyone knows how to deal with their careers, how to deal with the organisation,” said Belfort on Inside MMA. “The way I deal with the organisation is that when they need me, I’ll be there. And that’s the way I do it. And I don’t criticise other people because nobody can decide better than yourself for making a decision. I’m not going to be here judging anybody, especially Jon Jones’ camp and himself. He fought all the champions; that guy isn’t scared of anyone and I know that for sure.”
Belfort recently joined Rashad Evans with the Blackzilians in South Florida and will train there in preparation for his fight against Jones. The fight will take place at UFC 152 in Toronto on Sept. 22.
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