Belfort says Wanderlei ducked him in the past, wants winner of Anderson/Sonnen II

[Kickass32]

Belfort says Wanderlei ducked him in the past, wants winner of Anderson/Sonnen II

June 21st 2012

Wanderlei Silva strongly criticized his rival Vitor Belfort when he got a hand injury was taken off the UFC 147 card. Silva accused Belfort of being unprofessional and of not taking sufficient care of his hands in practice.

Belfort initially maintained a dignified, diplomatic silence - albeit one broken on his behalf by his wife Joanna Prado. This week, Belfort broke his silence to fire back at Silva.

“He said my injury was irresponsible, among other absurdities, but right after me other ten fighters got injured,” he says. “Unfortunately he sees the sport a different way. Where I see a fight, he sees a brawl. I will always have physical and moral respect for my adversary, even with he does not get it with me”.

Wanderlei has claimed that Vitor “chickened out” by getting injured in training; he also said it was an insult to the fans who had bought tickets and who had waited so long to see this rematch of their 1998 meeting, which ended in a quick TKO win for Belfort.

“When I take him on, I will beat him all the way,” Belfort responds. “When a person is frustrated and losing, things like these [outbirsts] happen. I think in the seven latest fights of his, five were defeats.

“I will never downgrade myself to the level of having an argument with my opponent. I would like to do this fight badly. I insisted with the doctor but he spoke that I could not (fight). With certain sort of injuries, you can’t fight.”

Belfort also rubbished the idea that he had backed down from Silva in any way. In fact, he claims that Silva had previously avoided him by choosing to fight Chris Leben when he had been offered Belfort initially.

“I have never spoken about it before but once I signed a contract to fight Wanderlei and he didn’t want to. He would rather sign to fight that guy… who knocked him out in Las Vegas in only twenty-seven seconds.”

Finally, Belfort also addressed the question of whether he should be given a fight with the loser of Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen II, which takes place July 7.

“They want to give me the loser? Why not the winner for the everything I have already done for the sport? My adversary today is my injury, the recovery is very hard. I am a UFC athlete and the decision on the opponent is up to Dana White - but I should get the winner of this fight.”

http://www.fightersonlymag.com/conte...ersonsonnen-ii

[JAX]

of course he does, but he's going to have to wait in line there a bunch of guys ahead of him at this point. besides he get's injured for a fight then thinks he get's a free pass to a title shot? sounds like he has Bispingitus.

[Misfit]

Hmmm, I like Belfort but I'm not sure he should get a title shot right away, I "think" he only has a single win since his last title shot. If guys weren't schedule right now, a little 4 way tourney with Belfort, Lombard, Bisping & Munoz to settle the next contender. Then follow that with another 4 man with Wiedman, Belcher, Boetsch and Stann.

[JAX]

Interesting idea but tourny's take time . That means we would have to wait for 2 fights to take place to get the next title shot. I think depending on who looks better between lombard and Munoz might get the next shot. I like Belcher-Bisping myself. MW is as good as it's ever been and right now guys in contention include

lombard,Munoz,Boetsch,Weidman,Bisping,Belfort,Belc her.

[Misfit]

agreed, these 4 mans need to be schedule around the same time somebody is schedule to for the title. If they could have schedule my first 4 man to start within a card or two of the title fight, I think it could work out. Again, injuries happen but a guy like Belcher could step in and replace any of the 4 real quick. Starting it after the fact is just way too long of a process.

[Kickass32]

After Lombard beats Boetsch, he'll get the next shot...then put Bisping/Belfort together with the winner getting the next shot after Lombard KO's Silva.

[Misfit]

and what happens when my man Tim, shocks the world

[Kickass32]

and what happens when my man Tim, shocks the world

You'll wake up from a good night's sleep and realize it was all a dream....

[Misfit]

you are most likely right but we shall see. He didn't have a chance against Okami either and it showed for 2 rounds why people felt that way.

[JAX]

and what happens when my man Tim, shocks the world

And that's what I admire about him, he knew he was down and went for the kill. How many times do we see guys clearly losing fights and come out in the final round and not do anything.