UFC 152: Presenting Vitor Belfort's armory for the fight with Jon Jones
Posted on August 29, 2012, 11:46 AM by Anton Gurevich
Speaking on Fuel TV's UFC Tonight, multi-time UFC champion Vitor Belfort stated that Jon Jones is "the best fighter of all time". According to Belfort, Jon Jones is "the new breed", who deserves respect even from a decorated veteran such as himself:
"Here I am with 35 years old, 17 years into my career, fighting the best fighter of all-time, in the history of the UFC, a guy who's [considered] the best athlete in MMA," he told FUEL TV's "UFC Tonight (via MMAJunkie.com)" "He's the new breed. I have a lot of respect for the guy, but I'm ready to put up a fight and take the competition to a high level. How many guys (are left) from my generation?" he asked. "I come from the generation of Tank Abbott, Dan Severn, Mark Coleman, Royce Gracie – that generation. How many guys from my generation are still [competitive] that way?"
Belfort has also labeled the fight with Jon Jones as old lion vs. young lion, and old breed vs. new breed. Bookmakers have Belfort as a 13-1 underdog, which in my opinion is absolutely ludicrous. Belfort definitely has what it takes to shock the world against Jon Jones.
Here are the four main weapons Vitor Belfort will have at his disposal on September 22, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
Mental Toughness
In my humble opinion, Vitor Belfort will have a tremendous psychological advantage over Jon Jones at UFC 152. At this point of his Mixed Martial Arts career, Vitor Belfort knows he has absolutely nothing to lose. You can't say the same about Jon Jones, who will try to prove a point on September 22nd. I don't agree with Chael Sonnen calling Jon Jones a "mental midget", but there's definitely something in the champ that makes him vulnerable to psychological warfare.
Experience
That's a pure cliche, but still, Vitor Belfort's experience inside the Octagon shouldn't be underestimated. It's important to understand that Belfort faced so many different fighters by fighting at Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, and Middleweight. He has more fights than Jon Jones, and the know-how to win fights as a deep underdog. In his last fight, Belfort fought a much bigger opponent in Anthony "Rumble" Johnson. Nevertheless, "The Phenom" managed to dictate the pace throughout the fight, before getting a submission victory. This fight showed that Belfort's MMA experience could be an indispensable tool when facing younger, bigger, and stronger fighters such as Jon Jones.
Hands speed
Belfort's hands speed is legendary. But unfortunately for "The Phenom", Jon Jones will have a huge 10-inch reach advantage. That's a lot, even for a decorated KO such as Belfort. Nevertheless, Belfort has one-punch KO power that could surprise Jon Jones, and in combination witht he mentioned above hands speed, Jon Jones' reach could be the only thing to save him. There should be no "feel out process". Belfort has to come out guns blazing with an ill will to KO the young lion, because if not, the Brazilian legend will find himself outgunned by Jon Jones' freakish reach.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Vitor Belfort is not exactly known for submitting his opponents, nevertheless, he's a serious threat on the ground. Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Belfort would love to play the submission game with Jon Jones. In contrast to striking, where one good punch can end the fight, ground game requires more craftiness than luck. That's perhaps where I think Vitor Belfort has a clear advantage over Jon Jones. If this fight goes to the ground, I think JJ will immediately realize that the best way to fight Vitor Belfort is on his feet.
Comments
His biggest weapon is his crazy fast hands and huge KO power... if he can't implement that I can't see him winning.
agreed if he could manage to keep the fight standing he's going to win by KO or decision. and if vitor gets taken down then I'm gunna ****en hate Jon even more lol
Oh my. Why Vitor waisting time with his trainers when you are here?
unfortunately for vitor i think jones is gonna beat him on the same premise hes beaten the others, which is (obviously coupled with his serious skill) his size and ability to basically toss the other LHWs where he wants em....anyone else looking forward to him at HW where hell be evenly matched in the size department? im loling at the thought of frank mir getting his hands on them skinny legs of his
Good article, I have to agree 13-1 is crazy maybe 3-1. Vitor is SO unpredictable. He is easily the most dangerous puncher Jon has ever faced, and has the best bjj, but you never know if / or which Vitor will show up that night. Just hope Vitor can get it together that night.
Jones has raw skills, his youth, & Greg Jackson. He will transition into a heavyweight fine. He will dominate that division also & people won't accept or respect it, just keep hating like usual.
Jones to dominate HW?...To dominate Dos Santos, Werdum, Overeem, Nelson hahaha.
Dominate the HW division? I'm sorry, but you are the definition of a nut hugging ignoramus, and only cause Jones is black and from NY!! Incredible... DC is black too, he would stop Jones in his tracks.
I see him dominating there too. Because by the time he will be there he'll be just as big as JDS and Cain (the two best HW's in the world for probably the forseeable future), and longer than both. He's already outwrestled outstanding wrestlers, and outstruck outstanding strikers.
Nothing if for certain, but acting like Jones having success at HW is some crazy proposition isn't intelligent at all.
Its cool you internet nazi, i guess as long as you & the rest of these computer cowards that SHARPED this homo will remain miserable as long as THE BLACK MAN keep the belt huh? How about taking off your white hood for a sec & tell why Jones don't have a chance as a HW.
& I'm from Deep East Oakland CA, Fu*k NY dummy. Why ya think its cute to talk shit on the net we can meet up i got money, we can make it happen
I'm a nazi for not sucking on Jones' sack?? That's a lotta hate you got there man. Be careful with those threats, homie. They might just come chase you at the speed of a bullet. Now shut up and stop being a psycho f*ck, there's always going to be someone crazier than you, so let's cut the personal shit.
Apparently not enough to purchase yourself an education. You call the race BS but MK's response was that Daniel Cormier would beat him. Am I missing something or are people from CA as colorblind as they are incorrect?
"Having success" and dominating the entire division like he has done at LHW, wiping it out almost completely are two *completely* different things. The post had a tone that implied that the same thing would happen at HW and "oh well, that's life... haters gonna hate..." This seems ridiculous to me. Jones won't have the same absurd size advantage, this a fact.
mindkontrolle- I'd say you're an internet nazi because of this statement: "but you are the definition of a nut hugging ignoramus, and only cause Jones is black and from NY!! "
That would also imply him having success there (I'm implying him winning the title) is some insane thought that you can only have if you are a nut hugger. I'm not a Jones nut hugger. I thought the same thing about Anderson Silva before Jones came around at 205. I'm no where near an Anderson nuthugger.
BTW Jones will still have a reach advantage at HW, and if his two brothers are any case will be bigger than both Cain and JDS.
I'm not sure why you introduced yourself into the argument, Evan. My comment was specific to Hateocracy or whatever the fvck his name is, who has shown a great deal of bias and is playing the race card all the fvcking time. All the time. You really represent this site? What a fvcking joke. I'm not even white you pieces of SH*T.
Lol, no Worries MK. People on this site just assume if you know how to spell that you are white and racist. Pretty much goes to sure you where real prejudices lie.
Besides, "Internet Nazi" has nothing to do with being racists. In fact most Nazi's had nothing to do with being racist. Not that following orders is an excuse for anybody, but it's certainly a more compelling trait than thinking you know everything like some of the people on this site.
I agree that Jones would Dominate the division at HW but not because of anything personal, racist, location or who his trainer is. Simply for the fact that JBJ is a super athlete and would dominate whatever division of whatever sport he put his focus and determination on.
The Kaybs:
First off, the first person to bring race in any connotation to this argument was MK. Just take a look above. He made the claim Hate only like Jones because he was from Black and NY.
Second let's not get into what a Nazi is thought of when brought up here. It was simply an insult used. "Nazi" could mean so many different things when used.
So Keith, " I'm as big a Jones fan as you can get " you're saying you kind of like him lol
I introduced myself into the conversation because your comment was out of place and stupid. Hate backs Anderson and Jones, but he also backs many other fighters that aren't black. Bringing out the race card is what you did. Not anybody else, and I never said anything about your personal race. I said you being an internet Nazi might be valid from the incredibly stupid comment you made.
Don't be stupid and you won't get called out by me it's easy.
@Evan JDS and Cain are the best HWs but when Overeem he will join that group
I doubt it. I don't think Overeem could deal with Jones with Roids, as he hates being put on his back. Now that he doesn't get to use anything? There will be a big difference.
There is no law saying you have to like people of a certain color.
That being said, stick to the topic.
Never discuss race, religion, or politics unless you like reading 100 paragraphs of hate and bull shiiit.
^^^^
Should be in every opinion website's bylaws.
Yes, I also think he can make waves in the HW division.
I'm as big a Jones fan as you can get but saying he would dominate the HW division is silly.
I'm not saying he can't become champ if he gains weight and muscle the right way but there is no way he dominates Overeem and JDS, they are simply true HWs with the power to back it up.
Could you imagine what Overeem's leg kicks would do to "Bones"? You do know why that's Jon's nickname right?
Hateocracy, do you nut hug anyone who isn't black? Serious question not making a joke.
"HATE"
and Velasquez of course..
Brown is more black than the Alan Belcher's out there. ;)
@Igor I could see him beating Nelson and Santos but I don't see him taking the power shots from Overeem or JDS, I would be interested to see if he could handle Cain's wrestling as well since he isn't going to KO Velasquez
And cain, thats a joke. If jones is smart he will stay at LHW.
Sorry, I don't see Vitor winning this one.
yea, I have to agree, but wouldnt it be an interesting outcome if he did.
This site would be nuts for days....oh wait too late
Unless Jones dives head first into the mat and knocks himself out, Belfort has next to no chance.
Vitor might as well close his eyes and run full speed at Jones swinging wildly, at least then he has a one in a million shot of connecting.
Yes, Vitor has (had) great hand speed, back when most of the UFC fighters were fat slobs with next to no skills. His hand speed is next to irrelevant now, look how far it got him with Silva.
Experience isn't too far on Belfort's side. Jones has faced Machida, Evans, Shogun, Bader and Rampage in just the last year and a half. That's up there for best period in MMA history.
Vitor has broken many times before. He broke against Hendo when they fought. He's broken against Couture twice. He broke against Overeem when they fought the second time. When the fight gets tough he shuts down. Jones has never done that. He's never been known as a mentally tough fighter, and has been thought of as the complete opposite multiple times in his career.
Vitor's ground game has always been top control centric. If he's put on his back (like he has been against Henderson, Sakuraba, Couture, and Tito) he is a fish out of water. He's had two submission in his career, one against Joe Charles, and the other against Anthony Johnson (who suddenly can't even cut to 205, how crazy is that?). If this fight against Jones goes to the ground Vitor better hope he is on top. If not the fight will be ending soon there after, and it won't be in his favor.
There's a reason Vitor dropped down to 185 in the first place.
You are talking a lot about 1.0 Vitor Belfort, the one who had his head only for 10% in MMA, while other 90% were looking for a missing sister.
I truly believe that today's Vitor Belfort is a different fighter, and like someone else said here - I think 3-1 is good enough for Jones as a favorite in this bout.
Thats "sharp" not funny. Only the old school fans like us Anton can see through everyone's BS here and comments.
Vitor is as good as any hes faced so far IMO. He definitely has a punchers chance if he can corner Jones. Hope his cardio is good because if cornered Jones WILL RUN.
might put some cash on this cos he does stand a chance, jones does not have the perfect striking timing that silva has.
Are Vitors hands faster than Rashads? I don't know that they are.. And Jones was in the pocket hitting Rashad with elbow jabs. Vitor clearly has more to worry about with Jones skill set than Jones does with Vitors.
I think Vitor's hands are faster than Rashad and his movement.
jon jones will win 11 out of 10 fights against vitor!.....so........i'll bet 100€ on jonsey and will win my 5 bucks. thx
Easily the worst match up in modern UFC history.
Easily the worst match up in modern UFC history.
Jones will use his long legs to keep Vitor at bay.. I can see Jones catching Vitor in the 3rd round when Vitor tries to rush Jones. I don't think Jones will go for a take down I think he will respect Vitor's BJJ. Jones will use his kicks and will use his wrestling in reverse if Vitor tries to take him down.
i think vitor will be as dangerous as dan come fight night, really vitor is at that point where he can pull the trigger and finish anyone, hes so old school hes not afraid to engage and get nasty unlike rampage who sat on the outside the whole time, if vitor comes in really hungry and confident he'll be able to ko jones with a grazing punch like he did to akiyama
This fight has only 2 possible outcomes:
Vitor via KO (Rd 1)
Jones via TKO Elbows (Rd 3)
Vitor will try to go for the kill, Im ready to see what happens.
That´s what we´d all like to see I think. Late 90´s Vitor going in for the kill.