In the upcoming all Brazilian UFC title fight between Vitor Belfort and Anderson Silva, set for UFC 126 on February 5th, it would seem that Silva is the heavily preferred betting option among his fellow countrymen.
A Tatame survey asked fifteen notable MMA personalities including Murilo Bustamante, Mario Sperry, Conan Silveira and Amaury Bitetti for their opinions on the fight, with none opting for Belfort as the likely winner. Whilst there was a predictably significant amount of fence sitting, perhaps understandable since many of those asked will know the two fighters personally, Silva was frequently given the edge with many citing his more consistent performances as a distinguishing characteristic when contrasted with the erratic Belfort.
Sperry, among several others, also notes Vitor’s time off due to injury as a potential factor:
“I believe that his time off the rings might put Vitor in danger, and that’s why I’d point a certain advantage in Anderson’s favor”
Certainly, Vitor has been open to criticism for his conditioning or perceived psychological shortcomings in big events in the past, and when facing a champion that has defended his belt seven times (A UFC record) it is perhaps unsurprising that Anderson draws favourable comparisons.
Vitor’s proponents, to be found outside these fifteen names surveyed it would seem, can point to an impressive five fight win streak topped off with quick stoppage victories over Matt Lindland and Rich Franklin as evidence that he has found a more stable and effective approach. Yet even if we are to believe that Vitor has reached his potential it must be disconcerting to see that Silva has engaged in two title defences while Belfort has been sidelined.
On a technical level, Silva’s more varied stand up attack is enough to earn the backing of Sergio Cunha:
Anderson has an advantage because he’s coming from Muay Thai and has a bigger reach and variety of coups. I’d bet all my cards on Anderson.(necije misljenje)lol zbog duzih ruku
There is little dissection of how the two match up on the ground (though Jair Lourenço does give Vitor’s takedowns a brief mention), perhaps implying that few expect Vitor to enact a wrestling based approach against the feared striker, as has been the subject of some previous discussion.
Although Silva does emerge as the favourite, not many begrudge Vitor the capacity for an upset. His explosiveness is well known, and has frequently rendered him the subject of much speculation over whether he has “new” and “old” incarnations- both of which may have been superseded by yet another version in recent times. With Silva looking distinctly human in his last two title defences, Belfort is not quite in the Matt Serra position of facing seemingly
