MMA News Forums » MMA Forums » General MMA Forum

[Cat--Smasher]

Belfort calls for Bisping then title shot, criticises Shogun, not afraid of Jones

“Actually, [Wanderlei] is a fight that will not take me to the title. I mean, I would face Wanderlei… but only because its the fight the fans want to see. Whatever the UFC decides, it has to be done. I don’t know how long he will get medical suspension because he took many hits, both he and Rich Franklin actually,” he told SPORTV.COM (translated by Fighters Only)

“I guess Wanderlei will be able to fight in October but I only want that my next bout that accredits me to dispute the belt. I don’t know, maybe Michael Bisping. I was only defeated once recently, by Anderson Silva, and all my wins were very convincing.

“I think I deserve this chance for my legacy. Some fighters are like: ‘Ah, the guy who has the belt is my friend, I don’t want [to fight] him’ - well, I want it,” he affirmed.

Belfort also raised the subject of fighters picking and choosing opponents in the hope of obtaining an easier match. Specifically he laid into Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, who according to UFC president Dana White had said he would “rather be cut from the UFC than fight Glover Teixeira” (Rua denies saying this).

“I don’t pick fights. There are people who say ‘If they give me this guy, I would rather be fired’! I was even talking about it with Dana White. How can anybody choose their fight? Obviously some managers force things for their athletes go up in the career but I want to make a fight that interests the public. I already am in the end of my career, so I want to do one more fight and go for the belt,” he said.

“Joe Rogan spoke with me that it makes all sense, unless Hector Lombard wins very well over Tim Boetsch. And Lorenzo Fertitta told me that I would dispute the title if I had beat Wanderlei.”

Despite claiming to be “in the end of his career”, Belfort also says he has an interest in moving up to light-heavyweight for some fights. (Privately, he is known to have expressed a desire to continue fighting for around five more years.)

“I don’t know how long I will stay in this division. I wanted to do more two or three fights. If my body will no longer permit this big weight cutting, I will go up (to 205-lbs). I am not afraid of Jon Jones or somebody else... Its not for me to choose my opponents.”

Despite the controversial build-up with Wanderlei Silva during The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, Belfort made a point of congratulating his rival for his performance against Rich Franklin in the main event of UFC 147 past Saturday.

“I loved the fight. Wanderlei would fight me the way he fought Rich. He is very aggressive, he has this characteristic. I thought he fought very well, despite the fact he didn’t win. He had a very good moment (in the end of the second round). The fight goes down in history,” he complimented.

“I respect him as an athlete, he left his best out there, so did Franklin. Rich Franklin’s challenge was harder - he had three weeks to prepare for a five-round bout. They’re two legends of the sport. I was happy to see that fight.”bout. They’re two legends of the sport. I was happy to see that fight.”

Belfort calls for Bisping then title shot, criticises Shogun, not afraid of Jones - Fighters Only

[Luc1an]

him vs Jones would be an interesting fight for sure. but i dont see how he could beat JJ. =(

[disposableassassin]

Belfort v shogun would be cool.

[dbader08]

Vitor may not pick and choose his fights, but Shogun has consistently fought and beaten better competition. Imo Vitor can not compete with the top guys at 205 because he relies on his power alot and it's not as much as an advantage at 205 as it is at 185. Overeem defeated him rather easily at 205, twice.

[scottsec]

Dear God please please please let Vitor fight Bisping!!!!

[goodtimes]

I just want to see Belfort fight more. His footwork has gotten so much better, and he used angles very well in his recent wins. Still, he had a lot of trouble staying away from AJ, and I think a guy like Evans would be able to take him down pretty easily.

Would love to see him fight Bisping, I think Bisping would have to use a similar strategy to what he used against Wanderlei and try to wear him down with takedowns. Should be a good fight, would hope Belfort would get the KO.

[Mr. Cornute]

I would love to see Vitor go SS2 on Bisping (I'm beginning to feel like the resident hater). Bisping in my opinion has not defeated a top 10 opponent & I am sick of hearing him claim after every loss, well if you take away my losses I have a great record, or I haven't really lost as I don't consider my losses losses, or I want a rematch, everyone else has one why can't I or just please feed Bisping to Vitor.
Now if Bisping can definitively beat Vitor then I will say have at it & give him a shot against the Anderson v Chael title match, granted Lombard doesn't impressively defeat Boetch.

[NLRepublic]

haha I bet either Bisping comes up with a reason for why a fight with Belfort makes no sense, or he ignores this altogether

Seriously though, other than the fact that Bisping is coming off a loss, this fight makes total sense. And when you consider Bisping's loss was a close decision to Sonnen, and Belfort's last two wins were over Akiyama and Johnson, it makes even more sense

[Mr. Cornute]

I completely agree, I think this would be an interesting fight & would give either fighter a good argument for a title shot.
Now we all know that they are trying to give Hector Lombard the early Anderson treatment (Beat one guy impressively & you get a title shot against our dominant champ) but if his fight is ho hum but Lombard wins then you could have the winner of Bisping v Belfort fight Lombard & give them all time to heal as well as who ever is champ (Silva) & they fight for the title.

[scottsec]

If Bisping beats Vitor then ill stop saying hes overated.....however he still will be a giant turd.