26.01.2009 Fedor in Belfort’s sightsVitor comments on Affliction win
Carlos Osorio / PortaldasLutas.com
Vitor Belfort’s performances for Affliction so far could not have been better. His two outings for the organization yielded knockouts both times. His latest four-fight winning streak is reminiscent of the times when he was called the “Phenomenon” and his knockout of Matt Lindland, this past Saturday, was similar to and even quicker than some of his most famous fights. Check out the chat Belfort had with Portal das Lutas, in which he assures us he will be working to face none other than Fedor Emelianenko.
Portal das Lutas – The knockout came in only 37 seconds and left Lindland in a dreadful state. Did you expect it to go like that?
Vitor Belfort – I was worried about him, it was heavy. The fight was really important and I couldn’t mess up. I expected that from the match, I was training for it to go that way. I figured there was no way he could take me down, that he couldn’t manage to, and that he’d break standing.
PDL – Did you do any special standup preparations to have such a performance?
VB – I trained a lot of striking with Ray Sego and Shawn Tompkins during the time I spent at Xtreme Couture. I trained really hard there. I had already planned it so the fight would be like it was. He would do what he, Randy Couture and others there do. I knew that. I’d just wait for the right moment. No matter how hard you train, it’s hard to deal with speed, to train for speed. There’s no way and, thank God, I was really fine-tuned.
PDL – What may be on the horizon for you in Affliction? Do you intend to fight other big names in the event?
VB – Next show it’ll be me and Fedor. We’ll see, that could be one of the options. I wouldn’t have to move up much in weight, I just won’t drop any. I’d just fight at my natural weight. I drop at least 10 pounds to fight. I wouldn’t have to drop anything and it would be a good opportunity.
PDL – What did you think of Fedor’s fight with Andrei Arlovski?
VB – If I were to fight Fedor I’d have to fight him standing, beat him standing. He was breaking and Arlovski had that fight in the palm of his hand.
PDL – The commentator in the English broadcast said after the knockout: “The Phenomenon is back.” Is the Phenomenon back or was he always there?
VB – Everyone goes through hardships, tough moments. I had mine and I never stopped being who I am. I believe, with certainty, that I came back stronger. I’m more mature, quicker, with more purpose and reason. I think he was always there, but I went through a lot of hardships, personal problems, and thank God I overcame them. Thank Jesus I had the strength to overcome my problems and prove I’m back.
PDL – Did you feel this appearance was reminiscent of your fight with Wanderlei Silva, another important match in your career?
VB – Did you see my speed? I was really focused. It brought to mind that explosiveness and speed.
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