Belfort (photo) only faced Weidman in 2015. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
For many athletes, maintaining a constant volume of fights is important to maintain rhythm. In other cases, the preference is to guarantee scheduled breaks between fights to improve preparation. Regardless of which choice you make, the fact is that Vitor belfort will have been almost a year and a half without stepping into the Octagon when he faces Chris Weidman, in a duel that should only take place in the first quarter of 2015. Despite the long time away, and the successive postponements of his duel for the middleweight belt, the “Phenomenon” assures that he will surprise Weidman when the bell finally rings.
“The fact that I didn't fight in 2014 will only make my opponents surprised by my performance. I had time to adapt and evolve further. Even though I didn't fight, I worked hard at Blackzilians (his gym in Florida) and spent all this time preparing to win my third title in different weight categories in the UFC,” said Belfort, in an interview with the “MMA Fighting” website. .
Despite having seen his title fight postponed twice since the beginning of the year, Vitor gave a positive assessment of 2014. “The year 2014 was really full of postponements and upheavals, but I am sure that such adversities will only make things worse. me stronger and ready for the next challenges. And I was hoping to fight and win the title, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. My training routine is intense, it's part of my lifestyle. I will continue focused, reinventing myself and getting stronger every day, waiting for the fight”, he assured.
When talking about his training routine, the “Phenomenon” revealed that he will intensify his work from the beginning of next year. “The month before the fight is when the heaviest training takes place and, as they postponed the fight, this intense training will take place in January. Until then, I continue with my normal routine, which is very disciplined and focused on my goals. I have an 18-year professional career and my preparation does not depend on the fight schedule,” he said.
At 37, Vitor belfort has a professional record of 24 wins and ten losses. The “Phenomenon”, as it is known, would face Chris Weidman for the middleweight belt at UFC 173, in May, but the duel ended up being postponed after the Brazilian showed high testosterone levels in a surprise test, in a series of events that culminated in the end of exemptions for the use of TRT. The duel was rescheduled for UFC 181, on December 6, but had to be extended again after Weidman suffered a hand injury. Still without a new official date, the duel should take place at the beginning of next year.
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