Friday, August 21, 2009

Belfort looks past Franklin


Although former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort is slated to take on Rich Franklin at UFC 103 on September 19th, he’s already looking forward to a potential showdown with the baddest 185-pounder to ever set foot in an Octagon in middleweight king Anderson Silva.

“Anderson is a great friend of mine and a big champion but I’m looking for this [fight to happen],” Belfort told OUL Esporte of Brazil. “I cannot comment much on this right now but yeah, I always want to fight the best fighters. Of course it won’t be a pleasure [being Silva’s friend] but there isn’t another way at all in the sport. Kaka and Ronaldinho (Brazilian soccer players) are friends and have faced each other many times. It is part of my work and I need it to afford milk to the children at home.”

Belfort hasn’t set foot inside an Octagon since he dropped a split decision to Tito Ortiz at UFC 51 back in February of 2005, however that didn’t stop UFC president Dana White from wanting to bring back one of the most talented fighters they have employed.

Silva is fresh off his dominating 3:23 second knockout of former champ Forrest Griffin at UFC 101 in a light heavyweight affair. After that performance, there aren’t many jumping at the chance to take on MMA’s most efficient striker, however Belfort says that he is down.

“It would be a great honor to fight Anderson,” Belfort respectfully stated. “He’s one of the best to ever fight and I want to test my skills against the world’s best.”

Well Belfort is about to fight one of the world's best in Franklin. Franklin has become a master of killing people's dreams of fighting Silva.
You are back in the big leagues now Belfort. Nobody rides for free.

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