Belfort still frontrunner for Fedor fight
By Jim Murphy July 22nd, 2009Watch Kalib Run is quoting a Fight Network report that Vitor Belfort has accepted the fight against Fedor Emelianenko in place of suspended Josh Barnett. The Fight Network report quotes Xtreme Couture head trainer Shawn Tompkins. They give a disclaimer that it’s not 100% official yet, and as Tom Atencio noted on the conference call today until it comes from his mouth its all speculation. Still, Belfort is the most likely choice and on many levels makes the most sense. He’s a very talented and experienced fighter and has been in training for a bout against Jorge Santiago. He might not have the mainstream appeal of Bobby Lashley or even a ‘freak show’ opponent like Tank Abbott, but is likely a better choice from a marketing standpoint than either of the Strikeforce heavyweights mentioned, Brett Rogers or Fabrico Werdum.
Jeff Monson’s name is still floating around, and my guess is that he’s probably the ‘plan B’ at this point. Still, getting a fighter of Belfort’s talent on short notice might be the best option for Affliction in what is clearly a difficult situation.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Great fight for Vitor. Win win. He hits hard enough he could catch him (unlikely) and be a hero, but even if he gets crushed, he should. He’s two weight classes down. I hope he catches Fedor and ends all this Fedor tomfoolery
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Obviously your definition of ‘tomfoolery’ may be different from mine, but having never really lost a fight doesn’t really qualify as ‘tomfoolery’ in my book.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:34 pm
well when i was was still of age to play in the park and the big kids were picking on the little kids and weirdos we called it tomfoolery, which i would say is a pretty close replication of Fedors opponent list. Smaller weight classes and freakshows. Dont get me wrong theres a few good names there. But relative to the number of fights hes had? not impressed.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Fedor is good, Royce is better, Couture is the BEST!!!!!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:24 pm
handycap match fedor vs two or three men in one night
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:54 pm
royce is a joke, the guy beat truckers with something they had never seen before (jui jistu) and didnt understand. That was like when the indians ran into the first cowboys with a gun. Oh wow that thing will kill you, if only i was aware such a thing existed maybe i could have avoided it. Actuall skill level against competition on the same playing field…well we all saw the Matt Hughes fight. And since then MMa has passed Hughes too. Royce was no master, just the first guy who knew how to do it
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