UFC 126: Anderson Silva Tries To Set Example For Younger Fighters, Build A Legacy

For UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, he’s not concerned that Vitor Belfort will be the man standing across the Octagon from him at UFC 126. He’s more concerned with setting an example for younger fighters and building a legacy of what he has been able to accomplish in mixed martial arts.

Check out the UFC’s promotional interview with Anderson Silva below…

Vitor Belfort Parts Ways With Trainer Shawn Tompkins Ahead of UFC 126

Vitor Belfort has worked with striking coach Shawn Tompkins since mid-2008, when Belfort first walked into the gym of longtime rival Randy Couture in hopes of training with him.

The union between coach and fighter has been productive. Belfort earned three knockouts in three fights while under Tompkins' watch. But with Belfort in the midst of preparation for the biggest match of his career a UFC 126 title shot against champ Anderson Silva the partnership is apparently over.

On the Tuesday edition of The Fight Show with Mauro Ranallo, Tompkins briefly addressed the situation, as well as the recent story that Belfort was training with former boxing great Mike Tyson.

"Well, you know, Vitor's done this before. Vitor sometimes, he gets a little clouded in his head," Tompkins said. "It's not that he brought in Mike Tyson or anything like that. Vitor just wanders, you know, and he goes where what's happening, what's famous, what's popular and he'll go over there. Mike Tyson isn't teaching him anything. Neither is the other eight gyms that he's training at. Just because he's over at Couture's and not with me doesn't mean he's with Couture. Vitor isn't loyal to anybody. We've seen it before."

The middleweight star hasn't fought since a Sept. 2009 knockout over Rich Franklin at UFC 103.

Since then, two dates with divisional champion Silva have been postponed by injuries. Belfort and Tompkins were still working together in the fall of 2010, but now, Belfort's gone in another direction, much to the chagrin of his former trainer.

"I hope for the best for him, but you know, for a guy who told me about respect, loyalty, and God and all this stuff for so many years, he sure did prove the opposite," Tompkins said. "So, we'll see. Best of luck to him. Best of luck to Anderson, as well."

Belfort is reportedly training his striking under Xtreme Couture coach Gil Martinez, a well-respected trainer who most recently prepared Gray Maynard for his title shot against Frankie Edgar.


Source: mmafighting.com

Vitor Belfort Dreams Of Fighting On The UFC Rio Card in August

The UFC’s return to Brazil later this year will undoubtedly have a host of fighters on the promotion’s roster hoping to compete in their home land in August. One fighter who was fortunate enough to be a part of the first UFC Brazil event also wants to go back.

Vitor Belfort, who is currently training in Las Vegas for his Feb. 5 showdown with fellow countryman Anderson Silva, made quite an impression during the UFC Brazil show back in 1998.

Belfort blasted through Wanderlei Silva, scoring the knockout win in only 44 seconds. The Brazilian is hopeful to have a return performance of similar nature later this year.

“I think everybody wants to fight on that card. I’m dreaming to fight on that card. I hope I can be there,” Belfort said in an interview with MMAWeekly Radio.

The last trip the UFC made to Brazil was over a decade ago, but the country was excited back then and, according to Belfort, everyone is anticipating the return even more now.

“It was good, exciting, and this time I think it’s going to be more exciting,” Belfort commented.

Before even thinking about returning to fight in his home country, Belfort has to get past Anderson Silva at UFC 126. If he’s successful, however, he’d have no problem making his first middleweight title defense at UFC Rio.

“If this is what God foresees, I will see it,” Belfort said about being champion and fighting in Brazil. “I will receive that prophecy for sure.”

If he wants to have a better shot at fighting there, he will need to beat Silva in February, so that’s exactly what Belfort plans on doing.

“Now, it’s just time to conquer the dream.”

Source: mmaweekly.com

UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort Video Preview

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, at UFC 126 on Feb. 5, will continue to try and make his case to be considered the pound-for-pound best fighter int he world. He face Vitor Belfort, one of the most explosive fighters in the sport, in the UFC 126 main event in Las Vegas.

Forrest Griffin and Rich Franklin, both former UFC champions, are slotted in the evening’s co-main event, each trying to find his way into title contention in the UFC light heavyweight division.

Not the veterans that Griffin and Franklin are, rising contenders Jon Jones and Ryan Bader will square off in another light heavyweight bout at UFC 126. Like Griffin and Franklin, Jones and Bader are fighting for the next rung on the ladder leading up to the UFC light heavyweight championship.