Thread Tools

Display Modes

AceFranklin88 · 12-01-2009, 02:32 PM

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2009/12/...lva-sidelined/

Quote:

While there were many that had been quite sceptical of the UFC’s decision to grant Vitor Belfort with a title shot at middleweight when he had never officially competed at the weight class for the promotion, it now appears as if “The Phenom” is going to have his opportunity to really earn his crack at the title as a match-up between himself and Nate Marquardt is apparently being put together according to a recent report over at Fighters Only Magazine.

It looks like current middleweight title holder Anderson Silva will not be able to compete in February as previously hoped due to the recovery process from a recent elbow surgery taking a little longer than anticipated. With Silva forced to the sidelines for an indefinite amount of time it couldn’t make any more sense than to give Marquardt and Belfort the opportunity to truly sort out who is deserving of The Spider’s next title defense.

Belfort would be bouncing back fresh off of the heels of his first round beatdown of former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin at UFC 103 while also currently riding a five fight win streak with knockout stoppages over the likes of Terry Martin and Matt Lindland along the way.

Marquardt is also riding a five fight win streak to some degree as his “defeat” suffered at the hands of Thales Leites was really a brutal beating over Brazilian that was reversed due to deduction of two points. Since his previous loss at the hands of Anderson Silva, Marquardt has put together impressive stoppage victories over the likes of Martin Kampmann, Wilson Gouveia, and most recently Demian Maia.

Foose · 12-01-2009, 02:39 PM

I actually like this fight better. This should be a really good fight to see who is #1 contender in IMO. I will be satisfied with the winner then getting a shot. I think I am leaning towards Marquardt ever so slightly in this one if it goes to later rounds. If it ends early, it will be by Belfort KO though. Man the more I type, the more I am pumped!!

joshua7789 · 12-01-2009, 02:43 PM

I hope this fight happens and they scrap Marquardt/Sonnen. Belfort/Marquardt would be an explosive fight between two very good strikers that would tell us how good Belfort really is. Whoever wins that fight would absolutely deserve a title shot.

Trips1978 · 12-01-2009, 02:46 PM

Yeah I got to agree I really like this fight man and with Hendo gone the winner here def deserves a shot a Silva. I think this helps Vitor a lot I don't think he was in a rush to get in there with Silva after his win over Franklin. I think he wanted another fight or 2 against top level comp before fighting Silva and who can blame him.

This fight has FOTN written all over it.

gdog43 · 12-01-2009, 03:33 PM

Makes sense - would be a great fight.
I really want to see Anderson fight both these guys though

gdog43 · 12-01-2009, 03:37 PM

Also if this fight happens then this has to be the main event and couture vs coleman the co main event - this fight is crucial for the middleweight divison, they are both 2 of the best middleweights in the world and it would be an amazing fight.

Couture vs Coleman would be a good co main event.
Couture shouldnt own a main event slot.

Terror Kovenant · 12-01-2009, 03:38 PM

Nate isn't half the fighter that Franklin is so I have no reason to believe that he can handle Belfort. Vitor via KO.

tlilly · 12-01-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terror Kovenant

Nate isn't half the fighter that Franklin is so I have no reason to believe that he can handle Belfort. Vitor via KO.

I'm not sure about that. I think Nate is a much more well rounded fighter. I would confidently put Nate's ground game ahead of Ace's. I think Nate is one of those fighters that just keeps getting better. He has really impressed me since his lost to silva (a fight where he was clearly not ready for).

As for the vitor/nate fight, I'm really sitting on the fence on this one. Vitor is prob quicker but I think Nate is the stronger than him and more well rounded. I think I'd give a slight striking advantage for vitor though. But with vitor, its hard to tell who will show up. I think nate will have a better gameplan and can squeak out a win if he can avoid vitor's flurry early on.

flexor · 12-01-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terror Kovenant

Nate isn't half the fighter that Franklin is so I have no reason to believe that he can handle Belfort. Vitor via KO.

As far as acomplishments yes, as far as present day capabilities not so.

Franklin is on the decline and has been for a while. Marquardt may be peaking or reaching that point soon.

Nate would wear Belfort out plain and simple. He's not going to get caught in a wild prayer filled closed eye flury(j/k). His speed and intelligence will allow him to stay out of trouble in the initial minutes and then it will be Nate exerting his will.

**swpthleg** · 12-01-2009, 04:02 PM

Belfort needs a sweet win after Akiyama stole his thunder by taking his shirt off.

Belfort's a big dude but I've read on here before that Marquardt, at least in terms of physique, is like a bodybuilder turned fighter, so if he can make that muscle work in a way that means something, he could surprise us.

TUF Finale 17

UFC on FOX 7

UFC 160

UFC 159

MFC 37

UFC on FX 8

Register Now

Thread Tools

Display Modes