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B-nole
SEP 21, 2012 5:45 PM
1,140
MMA
Vitor Belfort Aims for the Title at UFC 152
A fighter burdened by high expectations for much of his career, Belfort now finds himself in the opposite scenario.
As he prepares to fight Jon Jones Saturday night at UFC 152, it is the light heavyweight champion Jones who is expected to rain supreme in each and every fight. The heavy underdog Belfort can look strong in many fans’ minds simply by keeping the fight competitive.
Dubbed “The Phenom” when he broke into the UFC at the age of nineteen, Belfort’s explosive punching power and black belt in jiu jitsu made him one of the most talked about fighters in the sport.
At a time when fighters usually specialized in one discipline, Belfort was skilled both on the feet and on the ground. He was also very young and had years to grow into his highest potential. Many expected him to dominate for much of the future.
That did not happen.
Belfort suffered what was then a shocking loss to Randy Couture and left to compete in Japan. When Belfort lost five of seven fights between 2004 and 2006, he appeared to be incapable of winning a significant number of fights. His career was certainly respectable, but it was generally disappointing given the promise he showed at such a young age.
Things turned upside once again after a loss to Dan Henderson at Pride 32 and a failure for performance enhancing drugs: Belfort started winning again and did it consistently. Belfort is 7-1 since with the only loss to pound-for-pound champion Anderson Silva.
Defeating Jon Jones could completely change how people look at the Brazilian fighter.
Like Belfort over ten years ago, Jones is now the top young fighter in the sport.
via Los Angeles Times
As he prepares to fight Jon Jones Saturday night at UFC 152, it is the light heavyweight champion Jones who is expected to rain supreme in each and every fight. The heavy underdog Belfort can look strong in many fans’ minds simply by keeping the fight competitive.
Dubbed “The Phenom” when he broke into the UFC at the age of nineteen, Belfort’s explosive punching power and black belt in jiu jitsu made him one of the most talked about fighters in the sport.
At a time when fighters usually specialized in one discipline, Belfort was skilled both on the feet and on the ground. He was also very young and had years to grow into his highest potential. Many expected him to dominate for much of the future.
That did not happen.
Belfort suffered what was then a shocking loss to Randy Couture and left to compete in Japan. When Belfort lost five of seven fights between 2004 and 2006, he appeared to be incapable of winning a significant number of fights. His career was certainly respectable, but it was generally disappointing given the promise he showed at such a young age.
Things turned upside once again after a loss to Dan Henderson at Pride 32 and a failure for performance enhancing drugs: Belfort started winning again and did it consistently. Belfort is 7-1 since with the only loss to pound-for-pound champion Anderson Silva.
Defeating Jon Jones could completely change how people look at the Brazilian fighter.
Like Belfort over ten years ago, Jones is now the top young fighter in the sport.
Will Vitor Belfort make his fight against Jon Jones competitive?
Yes, he'll put up a good fight (2) 50%
I don't think so (2) 50%
No way (0) 0%
VOTE
via Los Angeles Times
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