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.

[Red Tex]

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.

How is he anything like Bisping? And I don't see the problem here. Everyone knows that Vitor was going to destroy Wand in a matter of minutes. That would have been his 3rd victory since losing that title shot. That is usually what the UFC asks of a guy before granting him another if he is beating good guys. The problem with Vitor is that he has been way to nice and loyal to the UFC since going there. The UFC has been horrible in marketing him and horrible in giving Vitor good opponents. His last two fights though, he blasted right past Yama and Johnson. That is typically what is asked of a guy who wants another title shot. Beat two or three opponents in top form and Vitor also did a favor for the UFC by fighting a much bigger guy and finishing him.

I'd say that Vitor is more deserving of a title shot than anyone in the division. He certainly shouldn't have wasted any time doing that stupid show so he could fight some back of the division guy like Wand. How the hell does a guy roar past two guys and than get downgraded to Wand??? Idiot match makers at the UFC, that's how. Let's also not forget that Cain V. just got an instant title shot after just one victory since getting KO'd the same way that Vitor did in his title shot. So this demand isn't out of the question at all.

[JAX]

How is he anything like Bisping? And I don't see the problem here. Everyone knows that Vitor was going to destroy Wand in a matter of minutes. That would have been his 3rd victory since losing that title shot. That is usually what the UFC asks of a guy before granting him another if he is beating good guys. The problem with Vitor is that he has been way to nice and loyal to the UFC since going there. The UFC has been horrible in marketing him and horrible in giving Vitor good opponents. His last two fights though, he blasted right past Yama and Johnson. That is typically what is asked of a guy who wants another title shot. Beat two or three opponents in top form and Vitor also did a favor for the UFC by fighting a much bigger guy and finishing him.

I'd say that Vitor is more deserving of a title shot than anyone in the division. He certainly shouldn't have wasted any time doing that stupid show so he could fight some back of the division guy like Wand. How the hell does a guy roar past two guys and than get downgraded to Wand??? Idiot match makers at the UFC, that's how. Let's also not forget that Cain V. just got an instant title shot after just one victory since getting KO'd the same way that Vitor did in his title shot. So this demand isn't out of the question at all.

Because there is nobody else in the HW division right now for Dos to fight at the current time frame. This is the first time in years that the mw division has had a new crop of contenders and I'm sure Anderson would balk at fighting Vitor again anyhow. You also can't count his fight with Wandy as a win because the fight didn't happen and he's the one who dropped out. After Sonnen I still give Belfort the best chance at beating Anderson I was dissapointed on how the fight ended and hoped it would have went longer. None the less, lombard,munoz,Weidman,Bisping,Boetsch and Belcher have all emerged as contenders making it very crowded at the top.

[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....