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UFC on FX 7: Belfort vs. Bisping takes place January 19, 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium. The main event could put one challenger in the right spot for a title shot at Anderson Silva for the middleweight championship. TUF season 3 winner Michael “The Count” Bisping (13-4 UFC) will meet the knock out king Vitor Belfort (10-6 UFC) in a huge fight for both men.
Bisping is the younger fighter, but Belfort has more fight experience. This fight is favored for “The Count,” yet Belfort can knock out anybody and almost tapped out current light heavyweight champion Jon Jones recently. Let’s breakdown this fight on both ends.
Belfort’s Strengths: Boxing, BJJ and one hit knock out power.
What they share: Both have great speed
Bisping’s Strengths: Wrestling, kickboxing and cardio.
How Belfort wins: Belfort doesn’t need to knock out Bisping in the first round to win this fight like some of you think. Despite his age and fight career, Belfort still has a huge gas tank. “The Phenom” needs to keep this fight in the center of the octagon and not let Bisping push the pace and push him against the cage. Belfort can win this fight standing or on the ground.
How Bisping wins: Bisping needs to be faster than “The Phenom.” Cardio will be Bisping’s friend, but if he isn’t faster he will go night, night early. Precise boxing, cage control, and pressure will win this fight for Bisping.
How Bisping loses: He is already talking like this fight is over. He has called Belfort “old” and “washed-up.”
In Bisping’s mind he has already beaten Lombard, Weidman and Silva. If “The Count” fights Belfort like he fought Wanderlei Silva or Dan Henderson, he will lose.
Final Thoughts:
This is Bisping’s fight to lose. With Weidman sidelined, this fight is perfect for him. All he has to do is win and he will more than likely be fighting Anderson Silva next. I personally think Bisping is over looking “The Phenom” and that the UFC won’t know what to do with “The Count” after he gets knocked out in front of a Braizilan crowd.
What Bisping needs to remember:
The last time he talked too much trash, “Hendo” put him to sleep. Belfort hits just as hard and is just as fast, if not faster.
The rest of the card is set with:
MAIN (FX, 9 p.m. ET)
- C.B. Dollaway vs. Daniel Sarafian
- Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Ben Rothwell
- Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Thiago Tavares
PRELIMINARY (FUEL TV, 6 p.m. ET)
- Godofredo Castro vs. Milton Vieira
- Andrew Craig vs. Ronny Markes
- Nik Lentz vs. Diego Nunes
- Edson Barboza vs. Lucas Martins
- Yuri Alcantara vs. Pedro Nobre
- Ildemar Alcantara vs. Wagner Prado
PRELIMINARY (Facebook, 5:35 p.m. ET)
- C.J. Keith vs. Francisco Trinaldo