Michael Bisping is making it clear that he expects Vitor Belfort to take advantage of a bad situation during their main event fight at UFC on FX 7.Whether it’s illegal punches to the back of the head or the possibility of being fueled by testoster…
Michael Bisping is making it clear that he expects VitorBelfort to take advantage of a bad situation during their main event fight at UFC on FX 7.
Whether it’s illegal punches to the back of the head or the possibility of being fueled by testosterone replacement therapy, “The Count” says that Belfort‘s “bully” tactics will eventually start to fail him, UFC legend or not.
In Bisping‘s latest guest post penned at Yahoo Sports, the famed MMA Englishman outlines his hopes that Belfort won’t be able to cheat his way to a win:
I was disappointed VitorBelfort started talking in tongues when asked about TRT recently. He had a little more to say on Monday when he was asked directly about my concerns that all his recent UFC fights were won by illegal punches to the back of the head. In between lengthy references to the New Testament, Belfort basically said he doesn’t care if he hits opponents behind the head.
How he’s gotten away with this in his career is a mystery to me, and I hope we have a strong referee who has the balls to do something about it – if it happens – with thousands of Belfort supporters screaming in the stands. And of course it is down to me to make sure I’m not put in a position where he can unloaded [sic] these kinds of shots.
Most notably, Belfort‘s latest instance of winning a fight with illegal back-of-the-head punches came at the expense of Japanese fighter YoshihiroAkiyama, who went down to strikes in the first round of their UFC 133 bout.
To date, though, Bisping has only been stopped on strikes once, and that was a haymaker blow from one of the sport’s hardest punchers in Dan Henderson.
Fans will get to see whether Bisping‘s chin (or the back of his skull) can hold up against Belfort‘s striking soon enough, as the two top middleweights are still set to face-off at the Ibirapuera Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Should Bisping win, he’s expected to achieve a career-long dream and face Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title.
Throughout a legendary career filled with triumph, defeat, validation and hardship, Vitor Belfort is still standing tall.Over his 17 years competing on the biggest stages across the sport of mixed martial arts, “The Phenom” has developed a passionate f…
Throughout a legendary career filled with triumph, defeat, validation and hardship, VitorBelfort is still standing tall.
Over his 17 years competing on the biggest stages across the sport of mixed martial arts, “The Phenom” has developed a passionate fanbase and a reputation for being one of the most dangerous fighters to ever step into the cage.
Working behind a unique mixture of speed, power and ferocity, the 35-year-old’s drive has navigated him across multiple eras as he’s faced a collection of the best fighters to ever compete.
Next Saturday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Belfort will look to further his legacy when he squares off with Michael Bisping in the main event at UFC on FX 7. This middleweight tilt may not carry the weight of some of his past bouts, but make no mistake about it, Belfort is looking at his showdown with “The Count” as if everything is on the line.
That being said, when the Octagon door closes and the time to handle business comes to call, the rejuvenated warrior spirit of Belfort will bring the fight to Bisping‘s front door.
“I’m really focused to fight and it’s more like an outside vision,” Belfort told Bleacher Report. “I’m like a Navy SEAL going to war. I’m not focused on the politics, just give me the mission and let me accomplish it.
“When a mission is given to a Navy SEAL, they say turn your back and let me do what I’m here to do. Now this fight is my mission. I don’t care about the politics or anything else. I’m focused on accomplishing the mission. I’m very focused right now.
“I’m ready, man. I’m more ready than ever. Better than ever. Fresher than ever. Happier than ever. I’m ready.”
The bout between Belfort and Bisping will feature two fighters on different trajectories. The former TUF winner has won five or his last six showings, and has positioned himself at the doorstep of a potential title shot.
UFC President Dana White recently stated the brash Brit would earn the next opportunity to face champion Anderson Silva should he find success against Belfort in Sao Paulo.
While the former light heavyweight champion may not be in reach of a rematch with “The Spider,” Belfort is still very much positioned at the top of the game.
In his last outing against Jon Jones at UFC 152, Belfort nearly shocked the world by grabbing, and nearly locking up an armbar in the first round against the young superstar. “Bones” would eventually break free and go on to win with a submission of his own in the fourth round.
The fight with Jones showed a portion of his game which many of have overlooked. Due in large part to his one-punch knockout ability, Belfort‘s ground game is overshadowed, and he sees a tactical edge in the fact his submission skills are not something his opponents are worried about.
“That gives me an advantage,” Belfort said. “I have a lot of things people don’t see. There are a lot of things I’ve accomplished. I’m the type of guy where I go to the gym to work hard. Fighters are made in the gym and we achieve things through sacrifice.
“That is how things are in life. If you want something, you have to work hard at it. God gave you the talent and the gifts, but you have to work hard if you want to use them.
“That’s how I approach everything I do. If I want to be a good dad, I need to work hard to be a good dad. If I want to be a good husband, I need to work hard to be a good husband. But you are never going to be anything if you don’t work hard.
“In this fight I have to go out there and do what I do. That’s it. There isn’t much to think about, only to act. I have to go out there, do what I do, and fight my game. It’s not about him. It’s about me.
“That is how we should think when we step into competition. When Michael Jordan stepped into competition, it wasn’t about what the other team was going to do; it is about what he was going to do.”
Throughout his career, Belfort has competed in multiple weight classes. He has found success in every division, but the past two years, the Rio deJaneiro native has made a home fighting at 185 pounds. In order to make what was historically a difficult cut much easier, Belfort sought the guidance of Mike Dolce.
Where many consider the former TUFcompetitor to be a nutrition guru, Dolce is more comfortable with the title of “longevity advocate,” as his methods reach much further than dietary assistance. Belfort credits Dolce, and his Blackzilians team, for making his rejuvenation possible.
“Mike is a great friend of mine and a guy with a lot of knowledge,” Belfort said. “He is not here full-time, but I know how he works and the meals we need to work into the plan. He knows I’m very dedicated and we are working hard together.
“We have a very good relationship and he’s been a big help for this fight. I tip my hat to Mike. He works very hard and he’s very passionate about it.
“I’m very happy to have Mike and the other guys on my team like Henri Hooft and my other coaches working with me. They are all great guys. Along the way, we have trained together and developed friendships. I’m a very happy guy.”
Next Saturday night, when Belfort steps in against Bisping, it will be yet another high-profile fight to add to his legendary resume. He will be competing against a surging contender who is considered to be one of the world’s best at 185 pounds.
While it is impressive for a 17-year veteran to still be performing at such a high level, the accomplishment becomes amplified when a look at his resume reveals a majority of the fighters he’s faced in the past, have long since vanished from the sport. This isn’t a reality lost upon him, and Belfort is proud of the journey traveled.
“Oh man, it’s amazing,” Belfort said. “I was just thinking the other day that I have been fighting for so long, for so many years, and it’s gratifying not only being able to fight, but to perform with the best. The sport is so hard on your body but I feel young.
“Randy Couture became a champion at 34 years old. I became a champion at 19 years old. I’ve worked so hard, but I’m still young and I thank God every day. I’m very thankful to God.
“When people talk about my name, I just want to be remembered as a guy who always gave his best. No matter what I’m doing, I want to give my best. That’s how I want to be remembered.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained first hand unless noted otherwise.
Four months after his ill-fated light-heavyweight title bid against Jon Jones, Vitor Belfort will be returning to the UFC middleweight division on January 19th to face Michael Bisping in the main event of UFC on FX 7. Though he’s well into his 16th year of professional MMA competition, Belfort insists that he’s never felt so good in his entire life. Obviously, that particular fighter-cliche has become so overused that it’s virtually meaningless. But if the Phenom is telling the truth, maybe there’s a reason for it. And so, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto pointed out the elephant in the room during an interview published yesterday. Hilarity ensued:
ESPN: Some fighters in their 30s have been diagnosed with low testosterone levels and received exemptions to use testosterone replacement therapy [TRT]. Have you ever applied for TRT or would you consider it?
Belfort: If a question is private, I have the choice to answer or not. If I make it public, it’s not private anymore. If I want to say something private I will say it, but I keep to myself and I respect the laws of the sport. Whatever the organization, whatever the law — they know what to do. This is too controversial, why am I going to say something that doesn’t accomplish anything? If it’s legal, they know what to do. If it’s legal, there’s nothing to say about it. It’s legal.
Four months after his ill-fated light-heavyweight title bid against Jon Jones, Vitor Belfort will be returning to the UFC middleweight division on January 19th to face Michael Bisping in the main event of UFC on FX 7. Though he’s well into his 16th year of professional MMA competition, Belfort insists that he’s never felt so good in his entire life. Obviously, that particular fighter-cliche has become so overused that it’s virtually meaningless. But if the Phenom is telling the truth, maybe there’s a reason for it. And so, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto pointed out the elephant in the room during an interview published yesterday. Hilarity ensued:
ESPN: Some fighters in their 30s have been diagnosed with low testosterone levels and received exemptions to use testosterone replacement therapy [TRT]. Have you ever applied for TRT or would you consider it?
Belfort: If a question is private, I have the choice to answer or not. If I make it public, it’s not private anymore. If I want to say something private I will say it, but I keep to myself and I respect the laws of the sport. Whatever the organization, whatever the law — they know what to do. This is too controversial, why am I going to say something that doesn’t accomplish anything? If it’s legal, they know what to do. If it’s legal, there’s nothing to say about it. It’s legal.
ESPN: As you mention, TRT is legal for fighters who qualify for it. Do you believe it’s getting a bad image in the sport? Fans are too quick to judge fighters who use it?
Belfort: It’s hard. Like, you’re either a Republican or Democrat. Who is right? I think it’s this: The truth is always in the middle. Of course, some things are non-negotiable. I think in life, you just need to find a balance. That’s the problem with the rule, is that everyone is so radical. That’s my opinion. I’m very faithful to the things I believe in and I’m working on myself. I don’t like to judge. When you judge people, it sounds like you are God. We live in a freedom country. It is what it is.
Wow. Not since Tito Ortiz‘s epic dodge about dating a porn star has a fighter’s vague non-answer to an interview question said so much more than a normal answer ever could. If Belfort didn’t use testosterone replacement therapy, he’d probably say something like “no way, I don’t need that kinda stuff, fank you Jesus.” Instead, we get a lesson in privacy, politics, and freedom that sounds pretty damn incriminating on its face.
“Incriminating” is perhaps not the best word to use here, since we’re not talking about a banned substance or anything illegal — we’re talking about a performance enhancer that’s completely acceptable to use as long as you have an exemption for it. Of course, MMA fighters aren’t always quick to admit they’re on testosterone therapy, because of the stigma attached. And why wouldn’t there be a stigma attached? TRT is a chemical treatment that’s intended to make aging (or just “deficient”) fighters stronger and more energetic that they normally would be. Testosterone might be natural, but the act of medically replacing it in your body? Not so much. And everybody knows it, which is why TRT is often a touchy subject even among those who are allowed to use it.
So we can understand why Belfort might be playing this one close to the vest. But if you assumed his incredible longevity is simply the result of a clean diet and daily prayer, you should probably take your head out of the sand.
UFC middleweight contender Vitor Belfort unquestionably has one of the best physiques out of all the fighters at 185 pounds, but is he all natural? That was one of the topics of conversation in an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto on T…
UFC middleweight contender VitorBelfort unquestionably has one of the best physiques out of all the fighters at 185 pounds, but is he all natural?
That was one of the topics of conversation in an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto on Tuesday. Belfort was asked if he has used or would ever consider using testosterone replacement therapy.
The 35-year-old “Phenom” gave a very strange response to question, without giving a definitive yes or no answer:
If a question is private, I have the choice to answer or not. If I make it public, it’s not private anymore. If I want to say something private I will say it, but I keep to myself and I respect the laws of the sport. Whatever the organization, whatever the law — they know what to do. This is too controversial, why am I going to say something that doesn’t accomplish anything? If it’s legal, they know what to do. If it’s legal, there’s nothing to say about it. It’s legal.
When Okamoto followed up by asking if Belfort felt TRT was creating a bad image for MMA, Belfort again gave a less than straightforward answer.
It’s hard. Like, you’re either a Republican or Democrat. Who is right? I think it’s this: The truth is always in the middle. Of course, some things are non-negotiable. I think in life, you just need to find a balance. That’s the problem with the rule, is that everyone is so radical. That’s my opinion. I’m very faithful to the things I believe in and I’m working on myself. I don’t like to judge. When you judge people, it sounds like you are God. We live in a freedom country. It is what it is.
While it remains unclear if the former UFC light heavyweight champ has used TRT, one thing for certain is that he did test positive for the anabolic steroid 4-hydroxytestosterone after losing a Oct. 2006 PRIDE bout to Dan Henderson.
The Brazilian argued that he either ingested the performance-enhancing drug from either an over-the-counter supplement or from rehabilitative injections received from a doctor.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission didn’t buy it, though, suspending Belfort for nine months and fining him $10,000 for the positive test.
Belfort is set to take on Michael Bisping at UFC on FX 7, hoping to play spoiler to the title dreams of “The Count,” since he has been promised a shot at Anderson Silva if he can outlast Belfort.
What is your analysis of Belfort‘s cryptic comments about testosterone replacement therapy?
Before I was a writer here at CagePotato, some of my favorite columns to read were the“New Guys” features devoted entirely to familiarizing us with the unfamiliar faces sprinkled throughout the average UFC card. It made the preliminary action far more exciting in my opinion, and more importantly made me look like less an MMA fan, more a prophet when making picks against my friends on fight night. I would of course plead ignorance after I had successfully transferred their money into my wallet, but hey, that’s what they get for saying “This Cyprus Diabetes guy is going to get straight up murdered by Luiz Cane.”
So to begin a year in which 95 or so percent of scheduled UFC fights will likely be cancelled due to injury, we figured we would brush off this old feature moving forward, if only to brief you on the no-namers who will inevitably be stepping in on short notice to replace our plagued MMA stars. Today’s edition focuses on the upcoming UFC on FX 7 card headlined by Michael Bisping vs. Vitor Belfort, and features a pair of dangerous, well-rounded sluggers hailing from, you guessed it, Brazil. Funny how that always seems to be the case.
Before I was a writer here at CagePotato, some of my favorite columns to read were the “New Guys” features devoted entirely to familiarizing us with the unfamiliar faces sprinkled throughout the average UFC card. It made the preliminary action far more exciting in my opinion, and more importantly made me look like less an MMA fan, more a prophet when making picks against my friends on fight night. I would of course plead ignorance after I had successfully transferred their money into my wallet, but hey, that’s what they get for saying “This Cyprus Diabetes guy is going to get straight up murdered by Luiz Cane.”
So to begin a year in which 95 or so percent of scheduled UFC fights will likely be cancelled due to injury, we figured we would brush off this old feature moving forward, if only to brief you on the no-namers who will inevitably be stepping in on short notice to replace our plagued MMA stars. Today’s edition focuses on the upcoming UFC on FX 7 card headlined by Michael Bisping vs. Vitor Belfort, and features a pair of dangerous, well-rounded sluggers hailing from, you guessed it, Brazil. Funny how that always seems to be the case.
(Nobre vs. Matheus Nicolau Pereira at Bitetti Combat 13. And if you dug that standing TKO, you’ll love these.)
PEDRO “The Rock” NOBRE Experience: 14-1 record, with all but 1 win coming by stoppage (9 TKO, 4 Sub). Multiple appearances under the Bitetti Combat banner. Trains out of the illustrious Brazilian Top Team gym. Will be facing: Iuri Alcantara (2-1 UFC, holds a KO victory over top contender Ricardo Lamas) Lowdown: Stepping in as a late replacement for the injured George Roop, who was actually stepping in for the injured Johnny Eduardo*opens mouth, inserts revolver*, Nobre has developed a reputation for putting on technical, exciting brawls that rarely make it out of the second round. For an example of this, see above. He was one of the first participants selected for TUF: Brazil, but was eliminated from the competition when he was knocked out by Vincius Vina in his preliminary fight.
LUCAS “Mineiro” MARTINS Experience: 12-0, with all but one win coming by stoppage (8 TKO, 3 Sub). Trains out of Chute Box and holds two local lightweight titles to his credit. The craziest thing about this guy? He just turned pro last year, yet has already racked up 12 victories. Will be facing: Edson Barboza *shivers* (4-1 UFC, CagePotato Knockout of the Year Winner, possible recipient of Jax-like roboleg surgery) Lowdown: Although we dubbed him the “Unluckiest SOB Ever” when we first heard he would be fighting the beast that is Barboza, upon further research, it looks like “Mineiro” might stand more than a snowball’s chance in hell of winning this thing. Like Barboza, Martins is a devastating striker who can deliver an unconventional highlight reel KO in the blink of an eye. The above gif, for instance, was taken from Martins’ last fight against Oberdan Vieira Tenorio at Jungle Fight 46, so you know the guy won’t be short on confidence heading into the biggest fight of his life. Combine that with the fact that he has next to nothing to lose by taking this fight on such short notice, and you’ve got yourself a technical battle good enough to be placed on any main card. What we’re saying is, expect to see this one show up during the FX broadcast despite the fact that it is buried in the prelims.
So Taters, anyone like these boy’s chances a little better?
At the end of 2010, Chris Weidman was declared the No. 2 middleweight prospect on the planet, according to a scouting report from BloodyElbow.com. Fast forward two years and you’ll find that the Serra/Longo prodigy proudly sits with a 5-0 record i…
At the end of 2010, Chris Weidman was declared the No. 2 middleweight prospect on the planet, according to a scouting report from BloodyElbow.com. Fast forward two years and you’ll find that the Serra/Longo prodigy proudly sits with a 5-0 record inside the Octagon. It greatly compliments his 9-0 overall record as a professional and illustrates his status as a top contender in the UFC middleweight division.
When Weidman was forced from a scheduled bout against Tim Boetsch at UFC 155, it was due to a shoulder injury that would require surgery and keep him out of action for approximately six months.
The 28-year-old expects to return in late May or early June, and with a major middleweight battle taking place next weekend between Michael Bisping and VitorBelfort, it is important to look ahead and see how the division will shake out down the road.
Here is a look at five possible opponents for Chris Weidman upon his return.
Throughout a legendary career filled with triumph, defeat, validation and hardship, 
