Vitor Belfort Discusses his shoulder injury and impending return to the Octagon

UFC middleweight Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort has been sidelined due to injury since his UFC 103 TKO victory over Rich Franklin.  Initially, that win had earned "The Phenom" a shot at the middleweight champion, Anderson Silva at UFC 112. However, heading into the bout Belfort was forced to withdrawal, citing an existing shoulder injury, worsened by his previous match, as the cause.  Recently, the former number one contender spoke out about the post-operative rehabilitation of his shoulder.

“I had been taking shots the last couple camps to keep fighting. Everyone was saying, ‘You need surgery,’ but I wasn’t at peace with that. I went to the best doctor in Brazil and he showed me the number of fighters who keep fighting and make their careers short. You can’t fight numbers.”

On August 7th in Oakland, Anderson Silva, who remains middleweight champion, will defend his title against Chael Sonnen at UFC 117.  When asked who he would like to face upon his return, Belfort replied:

“When you want something, you don’t make a prediction. I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t worry about what’s going to come my way. As long as I stay on my path, I’m not worried about who’s in it. I’ve accomplished a lot, let’s do it again. I want to get my legacy back. Hopefully, I can do that and share it with my team and my family.”

Though Vitor declined to make a prediction, his coach Shawn Tompkins offered one of his own, and in doing so it became evident that he will not be cheering for Sonnen.

“Nothing against Chael, but I think he talks better than he fights. Anderson is the man and we want to beat that man. I’ll be front row (at UFC 117) studying both of them because that’s my job. I think Chael will talk himself into the fight but ultimately, Anderson will knock him out.”

“It’s not personal, but it’s a little more personal (with Silva). I think Chael will try to pick a fight, but that’s the only way he becomes popular or famous because we all know he’s a boring fighter. Anderson is the man and we want to beat that man. I think that fight would mean a little more to us. And honestly, go ask the fans who they want to see fight. It’s Anderson and Vitor.”

Belfort is currently 19-8-0 in his professional career and was on a five fight win streak prior to his leave.  While there was no clear date mentioned,  "The Phenom" will undoubtedly have an impact on the middleweight division upon his return.

source:  MMABay.com