Belfort says he’s fighting Lindland on Oct. 11 for a title
August 1, 2008 by Sam Caplan
In a recent interview with the Brazilian website Tatame, former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort is quoted as saying he will compete again for the Affliction promotion on Oct. 11 in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center.
According to Belfort, he will be fighting former U.S. Olympic silver medalist Matt Lindland and that the fight will be for “the belt.”
It’s uncertain at this time what belt Belfort is referring to. Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio has been publicly bearish while speaking in the past about instituting Affliction-brand titles. However, the promotion did host the WAMMA heavyweight title during the main event of its July 19 show with Fedor Emelianenko procuring the belt following a first round submission over Tim Sylvia.
It’s possible that the title Belfort is referring to is a yet-to-be instituted Affliction middleweight title. FiveOuncesOfPain.com contacted WAMMA CEO Mike Lynch for comment via phone and e-mail but our requests have gone unanswered.
Both Belfort and Lindland fought and won during Affliction: Banned last month, with Lindland recording a unanimous decision over Fabio Negao while Belfort knocked out Terry Martin at 3:12 of round 2. It was Belfort’s first fight as a middleweight and Lindland’s first bout at middleweight since February 2, 2007.
“It’ll be a great fight, we’ll see who is the best of the world there,” Belfort is quoted as saying by Tatame. “I saw his fight with Negão and he’s a warrior… He comes over you, but I don’t think he has the strength to stay over me”
Belfort added that he believes his style will cause Lindland matchup problems.
“I’ll go to knock him out,” proclaimed Belfort. “My punches are well-aimed and when it hits he won’t stand”
And because of Vitors hands, the shots had better land early, and dod the trick. It can’t be mutch fun to fight with a broken hand.. Good luck Vitor.
If it’s for the WAMMA title then WAMMA is a farce.
I can only hope Lindland gets KTFO in this one. Despite his considerable skills and experience he’s become one of the most boring fighters out there.
although Vitor seems to have new life at Xtreme Couture.. i’m worried about how he usually does against wrestlers.. he gets laid on, and his guard is completely inactive, which is ridiculous seeing as how he has great BJJ.. i’m hoping his stay at XC has focused on utilizing his sub game..
i don’t want to see another:
Belfort/Couture 1
Belfort/Couture 2
Belfort/Tito
etc.
etc.
etc.
Vitor’s long been one of my fav. fighters.. i’d love to see him hold a title..
I hope Vitor stays at Exteme Couture with his training, If he doesn’t do we see the old Vitor who has never done well against Good Grapplers..
How funny Rich S. we where thinking the same thing…Grapplers, Ex.C..etc etc
also I’m a huge fan of Vitor also and he is still a young guy and can really turn his career around and finish his legacy on a high note..
Lindland only won a silver medal, not gold, right?
i think with Vitor’s new speed at MW.. we shoudln’t have to worry about anything..
Could being a middleweight finally show the world the potential of Vitor, or will he have another mental breakdown ala AA. Only time will tell friends.
i’m not worried about any more mental breakdowns..
back in the day..
he had all sorts of horrible things going on in his personal life.. well, not really all sorts of things.. but.. his sister was kidnapped.. so, his head was TOTALLY unclear.. but now, i’d say everything’s right.. he’s with a new camp.. he’s at a new, faster weight..
things are looking great for Vitor right now..
in fact, i’d say the ONLY WAY HE COULD LOSE RIGHT NOW, is to lay’n'pray..
If it’s true that this fight will be for the middleweight title, it does expose the org.’s weaknesses. It doesn’t have top tier talent except for a handful of heavy weights. There’s no way that either of these guys could compete with the upper echelon of UFC middleweights or light heavies.