Ill watch and see Rich win a decision in a great fight :goodThen ill watch Vitor go down to 185 and put people in bodybags.
As far as anaylsis go I got Rich mainly because I feel hes a more active fighter. Vitor just looks mostly for spots to explode and Rich doesnt give to many openings hes a fairly techniqual fighter but also has a much higher workrate and much better stamina IMO I could see Rich really taking it to Vitor in the 3rd round like he did to Henderson. Rich would score alot by simply throwing more especially with the kicks which isnt exactly Vitors best assests blocking them or throwing them. Vitor can KO anyone but Rich although he has 3 KO losses isnt easy to stop he recovers very well we saw that agianst Wanderlei and Vitor doesnt have the kind of striking IMO like Anderson who can put knees,kicks and punchers together so fluently to keep Rich from recovering like he did in the secound fight. I pick Franklin by UD but close.
Who knows with Vitor? Rich is easy to underrate because, well frankly he just looks so damn awkward with his unnatural southpaw stance; you can really tell that he is right handed more than most guys who switch, but the results are undeniable at this point. The only guys to ever really make him look bad were Lyoto and Anderson, which they do to everybody. Even against them he looked ok more or less against Lyoto until the KO, and as short as it was the period before the clinch in the first fight with Silva. Vitor might knock him out early, otherwise look for him to get frustrated, capitulate, and let Franklin take control of the fight as it goes later and later.
Belfort will discombobulate Franklin with his striking. It's over in the first and Vitor will be once again a player in the UFC.
Vitor is a spectacular fighter who folds under pressure me thinks. He is like the Judah of MMA. He has all the moves but if a guy doesn't fold he mentally caves in. He just doesn't have that special resolve that makes talented fighters into the best of their day. Like Judah, he has the talent of an elite fighter but not the character make up. All this isn't to say he can't have his day. Judah had his Cory Spinks and I think Vitor could beat anyone on his day. If he catches you ala Silva or Lindland, you are in trouble.
This depends entirely on which Vitor turns up. If its mentally tortured Vitor thats still grieving over his sister then expect a Henderson type beat down. If its young Vitor then expect a Wandy type beat down. Prime for prime Rich cant hold a candle to Vitor but mentally i think Vitor is shot. That said he had a stunning KO over Lindland in Affliction but i dont know what to make of Vitor anymore. He just seems to fight because thats what pays the bills.
What have you been watching man ? Vitor to me mentally by watching his fighting,training and interviews just really appears to be better off now and has put some of the grief from that horrible situation behind him. Those violent KOs hes handed out at 185 prove to me that Vitor is back and isnt just going through the motions anymore. Hes did alot of training with Xtreme Couture and other big camps and I think hes very serious about another Championship. That said Franklin UD 29-28.
Ok he KO'ed whathisface that Tyson lookalike. And has put together a decent run as well as looking good at 185. But im not sold yet. Il see how he looks vs Franklin and then reassess him.
Vitor Belfort strength is his striking. He has fast hands and has good power to hurt franklin. Franklin's chin is not that good so i expect vitor to win this fight by TKO.
