Vitor Belfort and Greg Jackson Pipe Up on the Teammate vs. Teammate Kerfuffle

by Kid Nate on Aug 23, 2009 1:07 PM EDT in News Comment 28 comments

Vitor Belfort offers his $0.02 to Tatame.com on potentially fighting his former teammate Anderson Silva for the middleweight belt:

"The problem is that Anderson has too much people around him. I like him, I still like him after everything he said. I still cheer for him, but I think he has a lot of people around him", said, saying that, no matter what, he'll face anyone the UFC put in front of him. "I'm an employee, he's an employee too, we can't pick up fights. Of course that's a fight I wouldn't like to do too, I like him a lot, no matter what he says", explains Vitor.

MMA Mania elaborates a bit:

...Silva has remarked that Belfort is not his friend, but someone who he respects and is willing to fight without reservation if called upon. "The Phenom" is the latest addition to the UFC middleweight class and someone who company president, Dana White, would like to see earn a title shot to one day challenge "The Spider."

Meanwhile Greg Jackson, coach of light heavyweight stars Rashad Evans, Keith Jardine and now Jon Jones chimes in while speaking to N New Mexico Combat Sports:

"I certainly won't be a part of one of my guys fighting another one of my guys," Jackson says. "But the UFC is Dana's organization so he can do whatever he wants. ... That'll be between the fighters -- for myself I just stay out of it. It's their organization and we work for them, so it would be a matter of what the fighters decide. I really think when push comes to shove the fighters won't give in on that. I hope so."

0 recs | Comment 28 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I think the Light Heavyweight division will definately be the first division this could become and issue in…

If two team mates have to fight, like one is champ, the other is number 1 contender for a while, they will just have to fight. I know that if my close team mate fought his way to the top and I was champ, I’d give him his shot, and I’d fight him for real, no holding back. That would be the greatest gift I could give him, a true show of friendship. You don’t get into this sport to just fight, not at this level, you want the belt. And if my friend wanted what I had, I’d shake his hand, say let the best man win, and leave it all in the ring.

Most all the fighters that go to Jackson are exclusively training with Greg, they just go to sharpen their skills and gameplan (GSP, Marquardt.) and they’d just have to alternate who goes when, and Greg will most likely let them come up with their own gameplan. The hardest part is fighting, but if they are close enough to not want to fight, they are close enough to let their friend fight for the title he’s worked so hard to get, and earn it.

It’s a touchy situation, and some fighters might give up once in a life time chances over fighting their team mates. Whatever certain fighters decide to do, I respect their decision, I know it won’t be easy, but in the end, I don’t think it will become a major issue.

"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate

by kyfm621 on Aug 23, 2009 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The real question in my mind is, how long do we have to wait before we get to see Vitor vs. Silva?

by Bandaka on Aug 23, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd wait for him to beat Franklin before i start asking that..

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

by Anton Tabuena on Aug 23, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lets say he beats Franklin, would that give him instant title shot?

by Bandaka on Aug 23, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t but only because there is already Hendo and the winner of Maia-Marquardt.

But if theres an injury, Vitor will be the go to guy. I could see them giving him the winner Chris Leben-Jake Rosholt if they want to keep him safe while they wait for the number 1 contender position to clear.

"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate

by kyfm621 on Aug 23, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

An interesting issue, in that this is an individual sport with team based training.

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

by iiowyn on Aug 23, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Belfort vs Anderson Silva is a fight that I want to see

Since Silva is willing to fight Belfort if he earns a title shot, I can see the fight happen. What is Belfort going to do? I saw pictures of Belfort helping to train Machida for Rashad Evans, so does he expect never to get a title in any weight division? If Belfort beats Franklin, I think a good contingent of MMA fans will want to see Belfort fight for the title against Anderson Silva.

by chrisbboy82 on Aug 23, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Vitor has a lot of appeal to old school fans. Vitor fighting for a title against Silva could do big numbers.

"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate

by kyfm621 on Aug 23, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kinda disappointed that Vitor feels this way about fighting Silva. I was hoping he’d be eager, but I guess not so much.

I love me some Sexyama!

by pud333 on Aug 23, 2009 2:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

if he gets a title shot, expect him to go all promotion-mode on everyone

he’ll be really eager, he’ll suddenly hate silva, and he’ll want to knock him out..

That’s if he beats franklin, and another MW maybe..

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

by Anton Tabuena on Aug 23, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is no way Jardine, Evans, and Jones can’t fight each other. There isn’t enough talent to keep them apart forever. Unless Evans somehow goes down to 185….

To me…. The fans pay these guys. A lot of fans want to see the best fight the best, regardless of who is friends. They should either be fighting each other, or they are in the wrong sport.

by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 23, 2009 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

Yeah, it’s impossible for Jones to advance through the LHW division, while not fighting either of those guys.

This teammate business is beginning to annoy me alot. If it gets to where you can either fight your team mate, or your career is stuck in limbo, you better fight.

by Miketsi on Aug 23, 2009 3:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Some people might disagree with me here….. but it is very unprofessional to turn down a fight with a teammate.

This isn’t a street fight. This is a sport. It’s their job to fight, regardless of who their opponent is.

Just like I don’t want to hear fighters talk about not making enough money or contract issues….. I don’t care to hear them complain about fighting a teammate. It’s a REP, KJP, or JJP…… Rashad Evans Problem, Keith Jardine Problem, or Jon Jones Problem.

A fighter can justify it all they want, but it is a disservice to the organization they fight for and the fans when they play games like this.

by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 23, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t worry about them too much. I think Evans will drop to 185 if he loses to Rampage, and Jones will have no problem advancing through the ranks without fighting Jardine.

by Zack Gobie on Aug 23, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

It’s entirely possible for Jones to advance through the LHW division without fighting Jardine or Evans.

It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.

by capital L on Aug 23, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

“I’m an employee, he’s an employee too

Actually both of you are independent contractors so the rules are a little different.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Aug 23, 2009 2:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I know this isn't the right place, but Look what i found on the UG's news page..

too much thiagos are causing confusion! haha. :)

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

by Anton Tabuena on Aug 23, 2009 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is Thiago Portuguese for Thomas or something?

by Zack Gobie on Aug 23, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Thiago Portuguese for Thomas or something?

I think it means Jacob

by WeaponElDeem on Aug 24, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rashad to MW?

He can make that cut?

by Miketsi on Aug 23, 2009 4:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

I seriously doubt it.

The guy fought HW on TUF. It doesn’t really make sense for him to try and cut to MW.

"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"

by Warhand on Aug 23, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

People fight well outside their natural weight class all the time. Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez both fought at 185 lbs. on TUF, for example. Evans is clearly a small LHW, so it’s far from out of the question.

by JRN on Aug 23, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The question is, do you want to be the best. If yes, How bad do you want to be the best? bad enough that you have to punch your friend in the face and try to hurt him?

If the answer to that second question is no, then you don’t fight them, and then it will be harder for you to be called the best. But, if you take that route, don’t be upset if big time fights/paydays don’t come your way.

I fully understand why a teammate wouldn’t want to fight another teammate, this isn’t basketball, golf, tennis, or any other sport. The goal of the sport is to hurt somebody, it’s hard to hurt your friends. But there are consequences for your decisions.

by Phildo on Aug 23, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Camps make for a huge problem....

Without each guy having their “normal” camp who can say either guy is going to be in top form? When they change stuff up for just 1 fight you never know how things are going to go.

Even still, I want to see the best fighting the best regardless of camp. I wish they could find some way to work it out and be professionals about the situation.

However, iron sharpens iron and if someone is butt hurt over losing an opportunity because a team mate beat them it might cause problems in the camp. It’s a tough spot but I hope the fighters can work it out.

by Dexerion on Aug 23, 2009 6:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think most problemw will eventually end up working themselves out.

The major example right now, I think, is Anderson Silva at 205. Jumping off of what you said, Machida will probably make a lot more money fighting at 205 than Anderson can make at 185, just because of the names involved. Machida has shown interest about fighting at 205, but it doesn’t make sense for Dana to keep setting up fights for him to fight (and beat) the people at the top of the division if he’s never going to fight Machida.

I understand that he doesn’t want to fight his friend, but he also wants to make money, and the path to the most money for him (in Zuffa) has a fight with Machida on the road.

by Phildo on Aug 23, 2009 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

AKA seems to be the bigger one, 3 Top 10 WW who won’t want to fight each other.

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

by iiowyn on Aug 23, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That doesn’t really matter to me until one of them has the belt.

They can take turns losing to GSP, I don’t think we’re missing much by not having them fight each other to get a title shot. It would be nice, but I really think the only issue comes from being the champ.

Without strict rankings and mandatory challenges, you odn’t necessarily need to beat certain people to get a title shot. There are multiple paths to get there, and each member of the team can take their own.

by Phildo on Aug 23, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It severely limits the match potentials, and leads to lower ranked guys getting title shots or being knocked out by fighters who do not want to fight one another. Paulo Thiago was probably one of the best things to happen to WW in a while.

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

by iiowyn on Aug 24, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs