Vitor Belfort Wants Tito Ortiz: Should the UFC Bring Him Back?
Vitor Belfort wants to make a legitimate return to the UFC’s Octagon, and he marked a line in the sand by calling out Tito Ortiz. On December 13th, TAGG Radio had Vitor on their show where he confirmed that he had spoken with Zuffa officials regarding a possible return to the UFC. He said that a deal is very possible and that he would like redemption against Tito Ortiz. Can the “Phenom” really make an impact in the new Light Heavyweight division that the UFC has put together? To give us a sense of where Vitor is currently at in his career, let’s take a small look at his most recent fights.
Vitor’s recent conquests
Vitor has recently fought two battles in the British promotion, Cage Rage. He defeated Ivan Serati by TKO in April and won with a somewhat lackluster performance against James Zikic to obtain the Light Heavyweight Cage Rage title. Many fans have been very critical of his bout with James Zikic in particular. Vitor’s performance was considerably less eventful than you may be used to, but James Zikic is not a slouch. Zikic has draws against great ground fighters such as Fabricio Werdum and Jeremy Horn. If you watch the fight, Vitor basically plows into Zikic and tries to pound him, and Zikic is able to make Vitor miss and maintain a very good defense to Vitor’s offense. Vitor did more on top and was able to win the victory, but the only real story that came from the fight was that Belfort didn’t look good in his performance.
Belfort still defeated a fairly strong Ivan Serati, went to decision with a heavy-handed Dan Henderson, lost by decision to a very lengthy Alistair Overeem, and lost by a close split decision to Tito Ortiz. Although Serati isn’t in the same realm as far as ability of those other names, Belfort still had a decent run in 2006. He may not have won most of those fights, but hanging with Henderson and not being incapacitated is a feat in itself. If Vitor can stay steroid free and begin to see real gains in his power again, we could see at least a mid-echelon fighter with the ability to upset some upper-echelon fighters.
What can Vitor do in the UFC?
Vitor can do a lot in the UFC. First, he can lend credibility to some of the mid to upper echelon fighters trying to make their way up to the top. Beating someone who has been in the business of MMA for a long time and was successful goes a long way in building a champion-like résumé. Secondly and tied to the first advantage, he can keep the fighters who just aren’t ready for the upper-tier of competition down where they belong. He can act as a gatekeeper for the upper portion of the division. Not only does this help those fighters who can’t get past someone like Vitor realize that they must improve in certain aspects of their game, but it again adds to a fighter’s record if they do overcome his skillset.
Lastly, Vitor can break out of that gatekeeper mold with a good string of solid performances. We never know what can happen in a mixed martial arts fight, but Vitor Belfort does have the skill to produce upsets. He always has that element of power in his hands that can beat anyone. A slick ground game and a black belt in jiu-jitsu along with some great boxing technique is a formidable obstacle for any up-and-coming fighter. As a gatekeeper to the top dogs or a legitimate contender, Vitor can serve a purpose and produce exciting fights with some motivation in his training.
Tito vs. Vitor?
People love to hate Tito Ortiz, but that’s exactly what the UFC and Tito want. As much as many hardcore fans hate to admit it, Tito Ortiz is recognizable to the casual fans and people still pay to see him get beatdown, which never really happens. Tito could sell this fight. It’s a rematch of a close decision win for Tito, and he would spin the matchup with a mean streak, most likely telling fans that Vitor doesn’t deserve a shot at him and that he already beat him. If Vitor comes back with the same venom, fireworks could erupt and that’s what the UFC wants. Hell, even hardcore fans may want to see an amped up Tito vs. Vitor Belfort matchup. Any fight is better with the increased tension and animosity between the combatants.
Can this fight work? Yes. Can it sell? To an extent, Yes. It won’t be a huge blockbuster pay-per-view matchup, but it most certainly should be in the interests of the UFC to bring Vitor to the UFC as a mid to upper echelon gatekeeper with the possibility of being a real contender. The Tito Ortiz fight alone could definitely be a refreshing splash back into the days when Ortiz amped up fights by getting his opponent to fire back at him with anger. Let’s see it happen, why not!?
Tags: Tito Ortiz, Vitor Belfort
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Another thing, if W silva beats chuck it could possibly set up another hype event for Silva because everyone has seen the beatdown that Vitor gave Silva back at UFC whatever Brazil in the early days. You know Silva would win this and it would just solidify Silva as a top contender setting up the Rampage/silva III. But they probably have enough hype for that now with the footage of Silva Kneeing the hell out of Rampage
Sure bring his washed up ass back so chuck will have someone to fight after he is raped by wanderlei
To be honest, Vitor has an established name, even though he hasn’t fought up to par as of late. Maybe this is a move to bring another name in for Chuck to beat and some others to beat. I’d still be weary of Belfort’s abilities to win though.
Why do all the old fighters want to beat up Ortiz? haha. I want to see Tito fight some young guys!
I still want to see Tito vs. Bisping…especially after their issues from TUF. I wouldn’t mind seeing Vitor back…maybe he’s just been fighting to his level of competition…
Put Vitor in with Houston “Chrome Dome” Alexander and see what they got.
I would love to see Vitor back. Last fight I seen him in was the one he lost in Pride when they first went to Vegas. I still have fond memories of the guy though, and hear that he has had some closure in some personal things that were going on in his family. He could always return to the “Phenom” status with one amazing beat down. His last fight with Tito was a very close BATTLE, and I would love to see a four fighter tourny between Chuck,Tito,Vitor, and Wandy. Just for the history between all of the fighters-
I don’t care one way or the other. He’s a “name” and probably has some game left in his tank. If Tito truly wants the title, Belfort is not the opponent he needs. If he just wants to fight guys he should beat to look good and collect a paycheck, then by all means take the fight.
man this would be awsome 2 see vitor back in the ufc come on dana sign him
wow… where do i start? first off who says wanderlei is going to beat liddell? seriously… chuck has a huge chance of beating silva. second… vitor is out of his prime and would be lackluster for the ufc.
man! i agree with mojo! put in houston alexander and vitor in the cage together and we’ll be assured that we will see a fist flying brawl!= between the 2! wanderlei silva will own chuck liddell unless chuck starts counterpunching again which would be the weakness of silva’s aggressive style! but if silva wins, we know who the next champ will be! it will be the axe murderer!
chuck just got tuned by keith jardine, I don’t think too many people are putting their money on him, rampage got into his head when he knocked him out. In the next year if he doesn’t retire, chuck will be on the undercards fighting no names, or he’ll go to m1 with that **** fedor
i want to see vitor back.hes still a good fighter with excellent strikes. and he has far more game than alexander who some people on here were wanting to put in for the title till he showed just how one dimensional he is in last fight.
tito would beat this bum down he not even in titos leauge. he would ov won his last match if he had`nt ov got the point taken away, tito is still a top 10 fighter an ide love to see tito against thiago silva would be a big chance for both fighters to throw themselfs into the hunt for a shot at the 205 belt.
i agree wiv mojo tho if vitor does cum back put alexander in there wiv him.
I’m not sure Tito Ortiz would absolutely trounce Vitor Belfort. Tito has also fallen off the wagon as of late. It will be interesting to see if Tito comes back from all the injuries he has been dealing with recently and actually fight at the level we are used to seeing.
Its kinda funny actually, both Tito and Vitor fought each other when they were each near thier prime, now both are used and washed up. I don’t see either of them challenging for a title in the UFC.
All I have to say is that if Frank Mir gets as many shots as he’s had to come back after terrible performances…Vitor is a no brainer.
He deserves to be in there no question.
I give Tito a lot of credit since his coaching in TUF. He really showed he could teach and remain respectful to the sport. Billing him as the fighter that everyone ‘loves to hate’ is harsh and I think unfair. Tito has actually matured quite a bit since his ‘Gay Mezger’ days and I hope to see him do well. Belfort is a has been… but we all know he would own Houston Alexander after watching Thiago give him a beat down. Belfort vs Ortiz? I lean Tito…cause he knows he REALLY needs a win to keep in the game. Beating Shamrock 3 times doesn’t mean a thing. And a draw against that idiot Rashad pissed me off to no end. We all know who won that fight.
They should definatley have vitor back to ufc. @ 30 years old he is by no means old. His explosive striking is second to none. If he can get back into shape like he used to be without the assistance of illegal supplements(which he claimed he took unknowingly due to unknown ingredients in a supplement whether we believe that or not), and improve his cardio, i think he can become a contender for the title a few years down the road…just look at how much couture has progressed since he was 30…
facts 1. both henderson and vitor have ko’d wand silva …
2 henderson, tito and chuck never ko’d vitor it was a descison loss in all 3 match ups
3 vitor finished marvin eastman in a much more devastating way then rampage did
4 vitor comes from the same camp as nogurie and anderson silva who are both currently champions in ufc
5 vitor ko’d wandi in 44 secs i dnt think anyone else has in ufc or pride
6 vitor has never been owned in any match ever to date
fabio-
Most of your facts are true, but…
I have seen Vitor owned in both PRIDE and the UFC. Randy Couture THRASHED Vitor 2/3 of their fights (and would have the secound fight had he not have gotten cut) I am a Belfort fan, but he has lost something over the years. But here is to the Marvin Eastman HATCHET WOUND!
I think most of you are forgetting how Vitor Belfort help put the UFC on the map along with the gracie’s bringing Vitor back would be a great move for the UFC, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Vitor dominated…..