Would Vitor Belfort Get an Instant Title Shot?

by bigern on Jun 24, 2009 9:51 PM EDT Comment 31 comments

vitor-belfort

Dana White recently stated that he's trying to book Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort for the UFC Middleweight title, pending Belfort defeating Jorge Santiago at Affliction: Trilogy in August. With the Middleweight division running out of contenders for Anderson, it has brought of the question of whether or not Belfort would receive an immediate title shot against Silva. Here's how the UFC middleweight division pans out for this summer:

Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin at UFC 101 on August 8 (non-title fight at 205 lbs)

Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping at UFC 100 on July 11

Nate Marquardt vs. Demain Maia at UFC 102 on August 29

Yushin Okami expects September return (via MMAJunkie.com)

White has said if Bisping is victorious over Henderson, then he will face Silva next, likely at UFC 105 in Manchester, England. If Henderson is victorious, it jumbles the division up. White has not mentioned a scenario if the former PRIDE champion defeats Bisping. With UFC 105 being rumored for November 14, Marquardt or Maia would have 10 weeks to make that date. Even though both men are top contenders, they each have clouds above their title shots: Marquardt was destroyed by Silva at UFC 73 in July 2007 and the UFC doesn't want a repeat of Silva/Leites if they put Maia into a title match. White also mentioned if Wanderlei Silva and Marquardt were victorious, they would face each other (obviously won't happen). Okami should be ready for UFC 105 but he hasn't fought on a main card since UFC 82. Former WEC matchmaker Scott Adams was reprimanded for not showcasing Mike Brown before his title fight against Urijah Faber so what's to say Joe Silva wouldn't feel some heat in this situation?

It's pretty evident that Anderson will be able to go, barring injury, on November 14. Hypothetically, if Henderson and Maia are both victorious, would Belfort jump straight into a UFC title match? Former champions have had mixed results in their return to the octagon. BJ Penn's return was a #1 contender match with Georges St-Pierre at UFC 58. Jens Pulver fought Joe Lauzon at UFC 63, resulting in a huge upset win for Lauzon. The only former champion in recent history to return straight to a title shot was Randy Couture at UFC 68. If we're in the Henderson/Maia situation and the UFC decides not to give either a title shot, they would be down to Belfort or Okami. In this situation, given Belfort's recent run in Affliction and his history with the UFC, he would get the shot before Okami. Belfort has been known to finish fights, in brutal fashion, and would give Silva the challenge he's needed at 185. He's on a tear right now, with devastating knockouts of Terry Martin and Matt Lindland. A similar victory against Jorge Santiago will make him big money with the UFC and maybe warrant an instant title shot. With Okami, you run the risk of Anderson fending off takedowns for 25 minutes and peppering Okami on the outside. Okami hasn't been seen on a main card since in over a year so he's not that fresh in the in the mind of the average fan. Belfort is the more exciting fight for the UFC to put on, given the past two title defenses for Silva. Of course, this is a moot point if Bisping defeats Henderson or the UFC gives a title shot to the Marquardt/Maia winner, but Belfort is the more intriguing and exciting fight for the fans and Anderson Silva.

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It could be argued that Denis Kang was as hyped as middleweight as Befort is at the moment. He didn’t get a remotely instant title shot and instead had to fight an always-dangerous Belcher. Unless the UFC totally changes protocol, he’s bound to have a coming-out party against somebody like Leben or a Bisping rebound fight.

by Ahhhoki on Jun 24, 2009 10:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

By the time Kang entered the UFC, he was 3-3 in the past two years with his best win being over Marvin Eastman. He certainly wasn’t as hyped or had the same recent record as Belfort, especially if Belfort beats Santiago.

by Foxskinrug on Jun 25, 2009 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the difference between Kang and Belfort is that Belfort has a history with the UFC and is a former champion in the organization. To the common fan, Kang needed to prove himself before getting thrown into the title mix. Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think he fought in the US before his UFC debut (which was in the UK, but seen on free cable). Belfort is still fighting in the US for the only other MMA organization regularly on PPV. I think Vitor has a bit of an edge on the title picture than Kang did and even Akiyama does now.

by bigern on Jun 24, 2009 10:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Vitor runs through Santiago

then he will probably get an immediate title shot.

Dana’s already said that he wants to give Anderson matchups with fighters who will engage, and if Belfort beats Jorge, then he’ll be (in my book at least) top 3 @ MW.

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by ElliotMatheny on Jun 24, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

But Srsly

All this shit with Anderson, and the UFC handpicking opponents for him is retarded.

You can’t predict whether or not a fight will be exciting (generally), and giving undeserving fighters title shots over someone who deserves it more (Leites getting the title shot instead of Okami comes to mind) only leads to bad things. It’s just 1 step closer to pro wrestling.

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by ElliotMatheny on Jun 24, 2009 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The reason Anderson is getting “handpicked” opponents is because of his last two title fights (Cote and Leites) and because he destroyed the middleweight division. 185 is in the process of rebuilding itself; Bisping and Maia are two on the rise, Hendo is always in the mix, if Wandy can get to 185 without too much trouble, Marquardt is right there, Okami needs a couple solid (read: impressive) wins.

by sadface on Jun 24, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand what's happening

regarding the UFC’s MW landscape, and their marketing concerns. However, that simply doesn’t excuse them doing stupid shit like giving a clearly unready Leites a title shot in lieu of Okami, like having A. Silva fight Forrest @ 205 when there are plenty of viable contenders at MW, etc.

And I disagree; Okami doesn’t NEED a couple ‘impressive’ wins. He’s the consensus #2 MW in the world, holds a victory over Anderson, and has been at the top of the UFC’s 185 lb division for well over a year.

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by ElliotMatheny on Jun 24, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okami was scheduled for a title shot at UFC90 but pulled out with an injury. So at one point, Okami was UFC’s hand picked opponent for Silva. Cote, the first really undeserving opponent Silva ran into, was picked because Okami pulled out. If Okami had been even marginally impressive against Lister when he returned from injury, Leites would have been put on the back burner.

by Stanlee on Jun 24, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leites

was nowhere near ready for Silva, and that was obvious. His entire place in the MW top 10 was due to the shitty decision against Marquardt.

Okami, conversely, has been in there against the best, and has already fought Anderson before. Yushin was also healthy at the time of Silva/ Leites; there’s no reason why he shouldn’t have been the one in there.

And I’ve said it before, and will say it again- some sort of poetic justice turned what was supposed to be an easy, exciting KO win for Anderson turned into a nightmarish bore of a fight.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Jun 25, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I said Okami needs impressive wins because of the Cote/Leites fights.. sorry i didn’t clarify. I’d like Okami to get a fight against the Marquardt/Maia winner. It would create a true #1 contender to the Silva throne (after Bisping or Henderson of course). Sadly, if Henderson wins, i don’t know what the UFC will do. Dana has said Mikey Bisping gets a crack at the Spider, but ive heard nothing of what happens to Hendo if he beats the Count.

I’d like to see Henderson Silva II personally.

by sadface on Jun 25, 2009 4:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sadly, its sports entertainment. Handpicking is gonna increase I would imagine as the entertainment aspect sells more ppvs than the straight sporting aspect.

by GeeDub on Jun 25, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only thing preventing an immediate title is shot is the casual UFC fan has no idea who Vitor Belfort is. Zuffa generally likes to give fighters at least one fight on a ppv card before giving them a title shot. Brock Lesnar is the best example of a huge, well known star coming into the organization, and he wasn’t given an immediate title shot.

I think Belfort gets at least one fight before he fights Anderson Silva. That of course assumes he signs with the UFC, which is no sure thing.

by Andy R on Jun 24, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just show Belfort’s old UFC footage. The good parts.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Jun 25, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s always worked in the past . . . except for Coleman.

by bignerd on Jun 25, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don’t have to earn a fight or be ready for a fight if Dana can make money off of it ( Lesner , Browning)

by KING FEDOR on Jun 24, 2009 10:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Randy Couture chose Brock Lesnar as his comeback fight.

by subo on Jun 24, 2009 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hendo went straight into a title fight with Rampage, and then straight to Silva after that fight.

by Swordslasher on Jun 24, 2009 10:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And wasn’t Cro Cop supposed to get an immediate title match? Or was it after beating Sanchez?

by Swordslasher on Jun 24, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was given Sanchez to get his feet wet in the cage. It was after the Gonzaga fight he was supposed to fight Couture.

by sadface on Jun 24, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s because Henderson had the MW and LHW Pride belts. It would be foolish to have a champion fight his way into a unification match..no?

by sadface on Jun 24, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope not

Hendo’s pretty much the only person that’s gotten title shots after walking into the org, and that was because he had one on each shoulder from PRIDE. In a perfect world, Wanderlei gets to kill someone at 185 (Kendall Grove?) and then he gets to fight Vitor for a title shot after that.

by subo on Jun 24, 2009 11:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know why people will think a Silva/Belfort fight is guaranteed excitement. Sure, I’d want to watch it as I think its an excellent match-up but there is a VERY high chance that once Belfort cops a few punches he’ll resort to sad Belfort that resorts to flopping to guard e.g. the second Overeem fight.

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by SamCupitt on Jun 25, 2009 2:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, absolutely immediate

First, why would Dana pony up the free agent cash if he isn’t going to use Belfort to cash in?

Second, UFC takes the chance of muddying there division’s appeal if Belfort loses his match in a non-title fight. If he’s given one prior fight, it’s a hand picked, low ranking opponent just to get Vitor and UFC marketing machine’s feet wet.

Third, Vitor has built himself back into a commodity. He has the negotiating power to ask for an immediate title shot.

Forth, I’d favor Vitor over Silva. I think another one of Anderson problems is he suffers from an ego problem, he thinks he can KO anyone. Well, Vitor’s hands are faster and he punches harder. If the Spider really wants to win he’s actually going to have to mix it up.

Fifth, this is the MOST IMPORTANT and I cannot believe all you have missed this! Vitor KTFO Lindland and put him in gurney. You don’t think that could be one of Dana’s most favorite MMA moments. He probably has it as a screen saver. Vitor could probably walk into UFC and loss three straight fights and Dana would still crack a smile when he sees him.

by bignerd on Jun 25, 2009 2:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Your second point has happened multiple times with good and bad results.

CroCop was brought in to challenge for the HW title, was laid out by Gonzaga. (I know he fought Sanchez first, but you get the idea, Mirko was going to fight Randy). Rampage was brought up in a similar fashion with a “test” against Marvin Eastman. Imagine the LHW landscape had Jackson lost. Shogun was supposed to run through a game Forrest and challenge Chuck/Rampage for the title.

In any event, it really doesn’t matter that much. The better fighters (Shogun) will overcome their initial loss.

As for Anderson’s ego.. can you blame him? He smashed Rich twice and choked Dan out. No one has looked halfway decent fighting him, save round one of the Hendo fight. Thats why his match ups from here on out should be exciting.

by sadface on Jun 25, 2009 5:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s been the better stand up fighter in each fight. Franklin is good but not great. Belfort is a different challenge because he is actually better the Silva in some areas, I just question whether Anderson will acknowledge it.

by bignerd on Jun 25, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Demain Maia is getting so FUCKED! Id rather see him get a shot if he defeats Nate than anyone else. Not because it would be more or less exciting but because he has worked his ass off for it and deserves it. Its pretty fucked up how Dana just ignores the fact that hes kickin ass and doesn’t bring him up in any conversations regarding the title picture.

by reciprocal on Jun 25, 2009 4:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It has to be because of Leites and he because he sees/saw great fights for Anderson against Wandy and Bisping. Im sure if Maia beats Nate, especially if its like the Chael Sonnen fight, we will be hearing Demain’s name a lot more.

by sadface on Jun 25, 2009 5:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, on a shitty laptop… Leites and because Dana White sees…

by sadface on Jun 25, 2009 5:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vitor's Instant Title Shot

The MO of the UFC is to introduce a new fighter to their audience with at least one tune up fight before putting him in a title match. In Belfort’s case, I think he’ll only have to have the one match, assuming he fights like Vitor Classic and not Diet Vitor with Lime.

Sure, it’s weird that Dana is already fantasy booking a guy he does not yet have under contract, but I think most people, particularly the UFC, understand that Vitor Belfort means about nothing to the casual fan. Brock Lesnar, Belfort is not.

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by Brett Jones on Jun 25, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see how you can discount Belfort’s appeal to the causal fan. Who is Affliction’s most entertaining fighter, it’s Belfort despite being the 2nd or 3rd tier of their marketing program (if there is such a thing). UFC gives him there audience and his style will quickly win fans. Talking about a guy with devastating hands and flair for the KO.

by bignerd on Jun 25, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he KO’s Santiago [which I could see because worse fighters have done it before] than Vitor could get a title shot. And honestly, how could you not be excited for that fight? I think Vitor would have a serious shot at beating Anderson if the right Vitor shows up. If Vitor is on his game, he is a very VERY scary person to fight.

by Zack Gobie on Jun 25, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs