A PHENOMENAL MATCH UP OF DIFFERENT GENERATIONS On the horn:
SR WRITER
Brazilian Correspondent "Jon Jones (vs) Belfort makes sense," Belfort said. "But I really think the way I made the approach to fight Jones was through the professional way."
(CONTINUED). . PRESS CONFERENCE INCLUDED
Saturday night, Sep 22, will be another historic event for MMA in Canada. Two of the most talented fighters in the sport will clash to claim the UFC light heavyweight belt. The formidable champion, Jon “Bones” Jones, will face Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort (21-9), who is stepping up in weight to fill in for an injured Dan Henderson. This match up is very special considering both of these guys were immediately hailed as phenoms upon arriving in the sport, although at completely different times. While many fans are discarding Belfort as old and washed up, Belfort may actually be at his prime and better than ever.
"Many people may have forgotten what Belfort brings to the table," Former fighter Jorge Rivera said. "He's an ex champion, he's a stud. He's a great fighter, he has a chance to win this fight."
In his return to the UFC three years ago, he became the only fighter besides Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida to finish former middleweight champion Rich Franklin (arguably one of the most experienced and durable guys in the game). Since his debut as a middleweight Belfort’s only loss is to most likely the sports’ greatest pound for pound fighter, Anderson Silva. Belfort was doing rather well until “The Spider” threw a perfectly timed front kick, the likes of which had never been seen before in the UFC, knocking him out silly. Since that loss, Belfort has knocked out Yoshihiro Akiyama and choked out Anthony "Rumble" Johnson, both in the first round. While Belfort has been rebuilding his name in the UFC as a middleweight there has been a new phenom nicknamed “Bones” tearing through the light heavyweight division, the same division Belfort was once champion.
"Some things in life come and you just have to take it," Belfort said. "I'm a young dinosaur, and I consider myself the old lion."
During the last four years Jones has increasingly dominated his opponents, and has done so with style. The young champion is full of diverse and creative tricks that come from the utilization of his significant size and reach advantages. Jones (16-1) is not only physically gifted, but he also seems to have a very strong mind and mental preparation. It appears that he has increasingly held a mental edge over his opponents with every fight. Belfort, however, can't be intimidated by “Bones”. He must go into the cage as a dangerous man with nothing to lose. Some people call Belfort a quitter, but the truth is he's a true warrior. At only 19 years old he became the youngest UFC heavyweight tournament winner. At 24 years old he fought Chuck Liddell on two weeks notice during the time "The Iceman" was in his prime, almost winning a close decision after being fatigued by the second round. He also stepped up to fight Fedor Emelianenko, the former Pride heavyweight king, on short notice but the fight never materialized.
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At that time Fedor was undefeated for almost a decade and was considered the best fighter alive. With his experience, skills, speed and power Belfort most likely poses the biggest threat that Jones has ever faced in his young career. Conversely, Jones has got to be the most athletic and gifted fighter that Belfort has ever faced. That’s what makes this match up so epic in my opinion. Jones’ wrestling along with ground and pound presents a serious threat to “The Phenom”. The champion is a beast from top position and very hard to deal with.
Jones’ ground attack is not impossible to survive though. Belfort’s ground skills and experience, backed by his strength and explosiveness, could carry him through a ground battle should Jones take him down. Belfort’s wrestling and ground skills are underrated at times, and for this fight he is training with none other than Rashad Evans.
"For me it's such an honor to train with guys. . . like Rashad Evans," Belfort said. "We're more focused on what we got, not what (Jones') got."
On the feet Jones has the unenviable task of fighting one of the best strikers in the game. Belfort’s style of fighting is a bad match up to the champion regardless of what clever game plan trainer Greg Jackson has come up with for the champion. One of Jones’ greatest assets as a fighter is his range, while one of Belfort’s greatest assets as a fighter is his ability to close the distance. Jones reliance on his lead leg as his base when striking and his tendency to move straight back when under attack puts him in serious danger against Belfort’s punching style and speed. He should kick the inside of Jones lead leg to break his balance and follow through with punches. One potential down side of Belfort’s striking style in this match up is that often, when punching in flurries, he leaves himself open to clinches. That is where the champion excels at controlling opponents and taking them down. Belfort’s clinch is not bad though, but the champion’s size and skills probably mean that he would win most battles there. This fight is so exciting because it promises a display of MMA at its highest level. Two of the best MMA fighters are going to war for the ultimate prize of winning the light heavyweight championship. Having trained at Belfort’s gym in San Diego myself over a decade ago I have more insight to the style of the Brazilian than that of Jones, but I really think that Belfort can shock the world. I believe this fight could be much more competitive than many may be expecting, and not the lopsided victory that some have speculated.
TY SILVA's PREDICTION:
My prediction is that something crazy is going to happen in this fight and surprise everyone. I pick Vitor Belfort to win by KO/TKO in the second round.
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[This is an opinion preview & prediction of Ty Silva's beliefs, they may or may not necessarily be that of SRMMA.]
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