[InAweOfFedor]

I read an article, (Link below, hope it worked). And
it suggests Sonnen Vs Belfort after both are fit and ready. IMO this would be a great match up, if either win it would really justify a shot at Silva's MW title.

If Sonnen wins he proves he can grind out a victory over a dynamic striker, showing he may be a legit test for Silva who wants big fights.

And if Belfort wins or KO's Sonnen, then we get to see that 'The Phenom' is truly back and now knows how to whoop elite mma wrestlers! (Something he has had trouble with in the past)

This fight ticks allot of boxes for me as it will answer so many questions. What are peoples thoughts???

Exciting resurgent former UFC champion Vitor Belfort is scheduled to meet soon with UFC physicians to determine when he'll be fit to compete again.

The highly regarded middleweight contender was originally scheduled to compete this Saturday at UFC 112 against Anderson Silva for the promotions' middleweight title before further injuring a recurring shoulder problem in training.

The injury required what was termed "emergency surgery," and left Belfort facing, what was thought at the time, a daunting recovery.

"I am in L.A guys so today or tomorrow I will see the doctor from UFC so he will give us the date of my next fight miss every one I am back," Belfort posted on his Twitter account.

Apperently doctors where encouraged after surgery revealed that the damage wasn't as bad as initially expected. Belfort is expected to make a full recovery.

Though the date of his comeback is still up in the air, his next opponent is a bit more deducible.

Chael Sonnen would seem to be the logical choice, provided Belfort is cleared to fight soon. Both Sonnen and Belfort would have faced Silva before each suffered injuries, leaving the door open for jiu-jitsu ace Demian Maia to step in for his first crack at the title.

The UFC was ready to award Sonnen with a shot at Silva at UFC 112 after his big win over Nate Marquardt at UFC 109, but Sonnen wasn't cleared to begin training again until a few weeks ago and wouldn't have been ready by this Saturday.

A match up between Sonnen and Belfort, however, would allow the UFC to establish a clear and new threat to Silva's middleweight title should he retain his belt against Maia, and even give Silva the oppertunity to take another fight at light-heavyweight in the interim if he chooses to do so.

http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/Vitor-Belfort-set-to-reveal-date-of-next-fight-by-tomorrow.html

 

[Rastaman]

I'd love to see that as soon as possible to determine who A. Silva should fight. I think that Belfort would probably win this one, but I suppose I could see Sonnen eeking out a decision.

 

[Icculus]

I like it. Beating Sonnen would give Vitor some real credibility in the MW division, and if Sonnen can execute his gameplan against Vitor without getting KTFO then he looks even more dangerous to Silva.

They're both ready to fight, right? I know Sonnen is healthy.

 

[Indestructibl3]

That'd definitely be a fight I'd look forward to, and I wouldn't be surprised if it happens soon. Silva needs an opponent after Maia, and I don't think either Belfort or Sonnen deserve it yet - this match will prove who deserves the next shot.

 

[No_Mercy]

That would be dope! Quick somebody tweet Dana to make this happen at UFC 114, 115 or 116...lolz!

 

[JonCR96Z]

4 out of 5 posts in this thread have completely written off Maia as the next 185 champ. That's awesome.

 

[osmium]

They don't have a fight lined up for Silva at 205 right now so I'd rather they just have Sonnen challenge next while Belfort actually earns his shot by fighting someone at 185.

 

[TheNinja]

4 out of 5 posts in this thread have completely written off Maia as the next 185 champ. That's awesome.

Gee..I wonder why:confused02:

 

[BobbyCooper]

Both fighters should get a shot at the belt! So this matchup would ruin some decent threats.

 

[InAweOfFedor]

Both fighters should get a shot at the belt! So this matchup would ruin some decent threats.

Fair enough! I'd prefer to see a true No. 1 contender earn a title shot by beating the next best competition.

IMO there isn't anything quite like those title fights when you genuinely believe that the two fighters in the ring are the two best in the division.

 

[mattandbenny]

I'm not as keen on it. Probably becausei'm a big Vitor fan, and i thinkit would go the same way the Sonnen-Marquardt fight did.

 

[Danm2501]

Sonnen's said in an interview that he's been told by the UFC that he's getting the next shot at the title. I see Belfort fighting again before getting a shot at the title, but I don't see it being against Sonnen.

 

[Squirrelfighter]

By beating Sonnen, Belfort would prove he is the next best in the MW division, under Silva and Maia(disputed), and is worthy of a titleshot.

By beating Belfort, Sonnen can prove its not all hype and he can in fact hang with great strikers, proving he is the next best in the MW division.

I see the top three MWs in the UFC as:
1. Silva
2. Maia
3. Sonnen/Belfort(depending on the outcome of a contest between them)

 

[Soojooko]

Sonnen's said in an interview that he's been told by the UFC that he's getting the next shot at the title. I see Belfort fighting again before getting a shot at the title, but I don't see it being against Sonnen.

In theory, I would love Sonnen vs Belfort, but I remember him saying he'll wait as well. If he can, Sonnen is going to wait, without doubt.

That leaves the mouth watering prospect of Belfort vs Marquart. How orgasmic is that?

 

[jonnyg4508]

Both fighters should get a shot at the belt! So this matchup would ruin some decent threats.

No they don't. Belfort has 1 win in the UFC upon return and it wasn't even at 185. Sonnen is more deserving but why not see who the real #1 contender is?

Enough with the gift title shots..

 

[BobbyCooper]

No they don't. Belfort has 1 win in the UFC upon return and it wasn't even at 185. Sonnen is more deserving but why not see who the real #1 contender is?

Enough with the gift title shots..

Why do you wanna take away to really exciting matchups for Anderson like that??

Sonnen earned his shot, he truly deserves one now!

Belfort I know doesn't really deserve one, but he needs to fight one more time now anyway. So let him fight against the winner of Akiyama/Wandy or maybe Nate or Okami.. but I would prefer that he get's a guy like Bisping, where the chances are higher, that he beats the guy so that he doesn't lose his spot.

 

[Hammerlock2.0]

Belfort I know doesn't really deserve one, but he needs to fight one more time now anyway. So let him fight against the winner of Akiyama/Wandy...

I never thought of that. I wanna see Vitor/Wandy II now.

 

[jonnyg4508]

Why do you wanna take away to really exciting matchups for Anderson like that??

Sonnen earned his shot, he truly deserves one now!

Belfort I know doesn't really deserve one, but he needs to fight one more time now anyway. So let him fight against the winner of Akiyama/Wandy or maybe Nate or Okami.. but I would prefer that he get's a guy like Bisping, where the chances are higher, that he beats the guy so that he doesn't lose his spot.

So basically you don't care who earns it and you would rather protect a guy by giving him an easy fight so he doesn't lose his "spot" rather than seeing who the best is?

I got ya.

PS: the good fights for Anderson are at 205.

 

[BobbyCooper]

So basically you don't care who earns it and you would rather protect a guy by giving him an easy fight so he doesn't lose his "spot" rather than seeing who the best is?

I got ya.

PS: the good fights for Anderson are at 205.

Yea basically thats how I would do it^^

Vitor is a great great fighter who most likely will beat Akiyama/Wandy, Okami or even Nate. But the thing is if the UFC puts him in against Nate, the chances that Nate could win aren't that low.. and because I really don't wanna see Nate fight Anderson again and ruin Vitors spot.

I'm pretty sure that the UFC will give him an average MW to ensure his Title fight!

 

[jonnyg4508]

Yea basically thats how I would do it^^

Vitor is a great great fighter who most likely will beat Akiyama/Wandy, Okami or even Nate. But the thing is if the UFC puts him in against Nate, the chances that Nate could win aren't that low.. and because I really don't wanna see Nate fight Anderson again and ruin Vitors spot.

I'm pretty sure that the UFC will give him an average MW to ensure his Title fight!

I was being sort of sarcastic.

I hate the idea of protecting fighters. If you truly deserve the shot you won't lose your next fight. Throwing him an easy fight is stupid. Let the best fight the best and a contender will be decided. If Belfort were to fight Nate and loses that is his fault, not the UFC's not Anderson's, not ours.

If you think Vitor is such a great fighter your wouldn't be that worried that he will work his way to a title shot. You lose you lose, tough luck. You let the fighters fight, you don't give fighters easy wins just so they can fight for the title. Backwards thinking.