Vitor Belfort has three words for Jon Jones: I am ready
Posted on September 5, 2012, 01:44 PM by Mike Searson
Vitor Belfort will challenge Jon Jones for the Light Heavyweight championship in the UFC 152 main event on September 22 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Beltor was supposed to face Alan Belcher at Middleweight at UFC 153 in Brazil, this October, but when a fighter has a chance of reclaiming a former title he has to take it.
This chance came up due to the cancellation of UFC 151 in Las Vegas when Dan Henderson withdrew due to injury and reigning champion Jon Jones declined a replacement in the form of Chael Sonnen. Belfort faces an undefeated champion on a 7-fight win streak.
Although he is an underdog in this bout, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is no slouch in the octagon. Despite being 10 years senior to Jones, Belfort can boast seven wins in his last eight fights, with his sole loss to UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
In an interview with Sherdog.com, Belfort addressed his decision to accept the fight with Jones.
Although he was looking forward to fighting in his native Brazil, Belfort knew he had to answer the call to take on Jones in Canada instead: "If you only knew how amazing it is to fight in Brazil. The energy from the audience puts you up there. In addition, I certainly would have had all my family and friends present in Rio, and they give me a lot of strength. However, I had to accept the fight with Jon Jones in Canada because the challenge is great and it gives me another shot at a belt. When the UFC came to me, I did not hesitate. I accepted immediately. I really want this fight."
Belfort expects a tough fight and said: "In the UFC, there are no easy fights. There may be a quick fight, but it’s never easy. You have to prepare very well because you’ll regret it if you don’t. This is already a struggle. Certainly, he’s a great opponent. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be the champion. Fighting at a high level motivates me a lot, as I’ve always tried to do it in my career. I expect a tough fight, but I’ll be in my best shape. You can mark it down."
Unlike Jon Jones who studies his opponents and analyzes them to the point where he admittedly "becomes obsessed with them", Belfort maintains that a new opponent does not pose a significant change to his gameplan: "Of course, I’ll analyze his fights, but beyond that, it does not change much. I was already training hard, and I was in good shape even before that. I changed my training camp to the Jaco Hybrid Training Center, and I’m now training with the Blackzilians. The team has fighters of the highest caliber, like Rashad Evans and Alistair Overeem. It is a very serious team, with a working philosophy that has pleased me very much. A professional fighter cannot reach his maximum potential by training only what he knows. He must be with a team that will help him think, create alternatives and improve his technique. I made a good choice when I entered this camp."
That said, he is looking toward this bout as if it will be the best fight of his career. A mindset that Belfort develops for all his fights: "If you want to be successful in the UFC, you have to believe in one thing: your next fight will be your best fight. Hopefully, it will be a tremendous fight -- worthy of the title -- that people, especially Brazilians, will remember with great fondness and pride."
Belfort says he really wants to take the title from Jones and feels as if he is going for the greatest moment in his career: to be the best in the world at what he does. When asked if he had anything to say to Jones he uttered three words: "I am ready."
Comments
Shit just got real, real fast.
seems legit, count is right
All i know is that Jon Jones better watch out for them hands of Vitor...I dont care what anyone says. Jones said his chin was tested in the Evans and Machida fight....he aint felt nothing till he gets hit by Vitor. If Jones is able to take a solid (and I mean SOLID) punch from Vitor then I will believe he can take one....but honestly..something in my gut tells me vitor with his speed and striking will clip Jones and vitor will walk with a TKO...maybe thats just what I want to happen...lol
Jones really hasnt been hit yet. If he had, you would have seen some swelling or something. When someone gets inside, he runs away....Rampage ring a bell?
Not everyone swells after being hit and typically not darker skinned guys.
How often does Silva, Kongo, Rashad and others get swollen faces?
Everyones different... I mean look at Silva vs. Sonnen 1 for evidence.
Well the fact that Chael hits like a girl doesnt help you case but his fac was swalowen anyways, Jones hasnt received a scratch in his fights, and one thing I noticed against Rashad is tht when he got hit, he ran to the other side of the cage wich kinda reminded me of Lesnar that was looking like a beast when things went his way but when he got hit he started runing after being battered by Carwin he was never the same and I think that could happen to Jones...
lets hope that happens
Maybe not you but there is always someone who has that feeling of Jones losing.
Someone had the feeling Shogun would wreck him, people thought Rampage would KO him, everyone dreamed Lyoto would outclass him, the masses were certain Rashad had his number and it was a fact Hendo would of landed the H-bomb and put him to sleep.
Like I said this aint directed to you but...
Haters gonna Hate
its true i want jon to lose to belfort, although for example i never want anderson to lose. i base my judgement on what i like. if belfort fought silva again id want belfort to ge kicked the face. i love jones fighting but no one has to like him. i feel like jones is gonna win because HE'S THE BEST LIGHT HEAVY WEIGHT EVER! but i think it would be cooler for vitors legacy if vitor won. i dont care about jones's legacy
And "dislikers gonna dislike"
...and weakers gonna weak.
lmao, you got that right Crane!
I seriously hope vitor pulls it off that would be an insane reaction from the crowd! War Belfort
vitor is definately as dangerous as dan. question is will he connect
less talking more training
would love to see an upset here but i cant see it. jones is gonna get the take down and sub eventually.
Hope vitor just throws caution to the wind and just goes all out for the early ko, its the only chance he has!
I dont know how everyone is talking about Jon's going to submit Vitor like Jon's BJJ is anywhere near Vitor's. With all due respect.. Jon's BJJ is nice, but it's not on Vitor's level. Vitor is a LEGIT Gracie Blackbelt. Just assuming Jon will submit him is ridiculous to say the least. I think Jon has more to worry about on the ground than Vitor. The only advantage Jon has on the ground is those long ass arms and the leverage that comes with it. Other than that Vitor outclasses Jones on the ground... Period! I think Vitor's TDD will be Outstanding.. Jones might not be able to take him down at all. The last and ONLY time Vitor got subbed was 7 years ago by Overeem.
"The only advantage Jon has on the ground is those long ass arms and the leverage that comes with it."
Kinda like Overeem right?
He also like front chokes, and is extremely dominant from top control.
Kinda like Overeem right?
...
More like six words.... "I am ready.... to be humiliated".
This is the same Vitor that got dropped by a FRONT KICK, people. Telegraphed and all. You could see it coming a mile away, and he could not even come close to defending it.
to be fair, Anderson has caught a lot of people off guard. Im not sure Vitor ever had a front kick thrown in his face before.
Have to remember, Steven Segal just invented it 3 weeks before 8P
i also have three words for jon jones **** u lier
well, that's counts as 2 words and a spelling mistake, --insert 3rd word here---
Jones has been dealing with serious backlash and controversy, whereas Vitor has a clear head and has nothing to lose. Just something to think about :P
How many words is 'belfort knocked out in first round.