The Phenom Will Rise Again

Vitor Belfort is the second most dangerous man fighting at middleweight in MMA.  Anderson, of course, is the first.  Although various other fighters might currently be ranked above "The Phenom" -- Okami, Jacare, Munoz, Chael, Bisping, Stann -- NONE of them can finish a fight as quickly and viciously as Vitor.  At 19 and 9, his record isn't pristine.  However, he has stopped a bevy of all-stars: Tank Abbott, Wanderlei Silva, Randy Couture, Matt Lindland, and Rich Franklin.  And, of course, he may have the fastest hands in the history of the UFC.

Anderson Silva finished Belfort in the first round of UFC 126.  But until the remarkable front-kick that ended the fight, Belfort was the aggressor.  And -- although close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades -- he threw more strikes, landed more strikes, and was on top of Anderson at one point.

 

Akiyama is a dynamic fighter, who brings some flash into the cage.  However, at UFC 133, Belfort will obliterate him with a firestorm of fisticuffs.  It will end in the first round.  And, when that happens, Vitor will be right back in the title picture.

From there, Vitor should face the winner of Chael Sonnen v. Brian Stann, which is expected to take place on October 8 at UFC 136.  Not only would that be a deserved match-up, it would be a huge draw for the UFC.  It may also be the precursor to another title shot.