Anderson Silva on Vitor Belfort: 'He is just another opponent'
Posted on March 9, 2010, 03:57 PM by Rory KernaghanThe current UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva was scheduled to fight UFC and Pride veteran Vitor Belfort at UFC 112 until Belfort had to withdraw due to a shoulder injury. Anderson was interviewed about the bout and his feelings on Vitor. This quote is from an unpublished article taken before Vitor pulled out of the fight;
“First thing he (Belfort) was never my friend. Second, I'm here to fight and whoever is better prepared will win and one of us will lose. I'd be upset if I had to fight Rodrigo, Rogerio, Feijao, Lyoto or even Wanderlei or Shogun, but Vitor? He's just another opponent like everyone else.” Quote taken from Tatame.com
It is probable that Belfort and Silva will meet at some point to fight. Especially after the two had a face to face in January and things have been getting pretty intense between the two since then. Although Belfort's pulling out may change the situation. Before the bout was set up Belfort had already publicly said that he feels Nate Marquardt was more worthy of the shot at Silva and now with Belfort out for an uncertain amount of time we may get a new number one contender while Belfort is mending up.
One thing is for sure though, that Silvs is fighting Demian Maia now at UFC 112. All obvious thoughts of the next contender, providing Silva beats Maia, go towards Chael Sonnen after his victory over Marquardt. So where will that leave Vitor upon his UFC return?
Comments
He should have to fight Nate.
I think that Anderson is going to destory Maia, I find it very unlikely that Maia will be able to take him down and if Nate one punched him than Anderson will definitely knock him out.
yeh I dont think Maia will beat Silva, I really wana see Silva vs Belfort though
anderson is the best striker "hes just another opponent" sir i respect your condifence
I want to see Silva vs Sonnen more than I want to see Silva vs Belfort. Silva's standup is better than Belfort. Sonnen has a better chance of getting Silva down than Belfort and I think Sonnen needs some humbling as well.
i agree he should fight nate. i see silva knocking out maia first or second round
Anderson is not all he is hyped up to be, We sparred a few times and he was avoiding me he even turned his back and ran a few times.
LOL
was it a dream match?
Thanks for that, you really started my day with a smile :oD
Anderson asks his translater to ask Cheal to ask me if he can play hip- hop.
Silva is top of the food chain right now, he's the most deadly striker in UFC. Maia will not want to stand with him but I reckon he'll have a tough enough job getting him down.
Henderson went to the ground with Silva & couldn't do anything & he's a powerful enough wrestler. Most Maia's wins are from submissions so no doubt where he wants to take it.
Silva's BJJ isn't bad. We never really see it so if it goes there we might be pleasantly surprised. His only loses are by submission so it seems to be his Achilles if there's any.
It is an exciting match up because nobody is going to out strike Silva, it will be a submission that beats him unless by some freak chance he get's KO's by a crazy spinning back fist (Remember Carter v Serra???)