Roundtable: Kingdom MMA on Vitor Belfort

Kingdom MMA discuss Vitor Belfort

by Ben Heather @benheather

On Saturday night Vitor Belfort turned back the hands of time and put on yet another brilliant performance. This time he knocked out Luke Rockhold in the first round in the main event of UFC on FX 8.

This performance got some of the guys from Kingdom MMA thinking. Is this Belfort's best streak? Is he the legitimate number 1 contender at middleweight in the UFC? Should he be inducted in to the UFC Hall of Fame? Our thoughts on these questions will be revealed below.

Belfort has beat both Bisping and Rockhold in his last two fights, is this Belfort's best streak of his career?

Chris: Undoubtedly, if it was anyone else right now the UFC would be lining up the fight with the middleweight champion as soon as the winner of Silva vs Weidman was decided.

Jack: If we add in dominant wins over Akiyama and Johnson also in his middleweight run its hard to argue otherwise, four brutal finishes in a row over top competition. It's Belfort's most consistent run and for me this is the best steak of his career to date.

Ben: You would have to say yes. For anybody to beat the calibre of fighters he has lately in Bisping, in a fight that would have finally given him a title shot had he won and then Rockhold who had also been mentioned in title contention its a brilliant run. As Jack mentioned its not just that he won the fights but the manner he did it by winning them both with brutal KO's.

Is Belfort better than ever or is the lack of current contenders at Middleweight making him look better than he is?

Chris: The middleweight division is strong right now, but Belfort has looked simple awesome since his loss to Silva. He is on a 4 fight win streak at middleweight, railroading Akiyama, making easy work of a good quality opponent in Rumble Johnson, and giving us two of the best KO's in 2013 against Bisping and Rockhold. Oh, and along the way he gave arguably the best fighter in the world, Jon Jones,  his toughest test to date.

Jack: As the old saying goes, you can only beat what's in front of you and beat them he certainly does. I think he's better than he's ever been and he's getting results. It's true there are a lack of contenders at middleweight at the minute and that's partly to do with Belfort kicking two legitimate contenders to the back of the queue.

Ben: I think that the Belfort of 2012/ 13 is better than ever, there is one fight that makes me think this and it was the one he lost to Jon Jones. Nobody has come close to beating Jones before the Belfort fight. Belfort proved in that fight that he has the ability to compete with the very best in the world and at Middleweight I only see Silva who is better than him.

Do you think Belfort is the next challenger to the UFC Middleweight belt?

Chris: I wrote in my UFC on FX8 predictions last week that Belfort deserved to be the number 1 contender based on performances, but how can you put a guy who is known to be on a performance enhancing drug in title fight... Especially when he's such a dick about it! Threatening to beat respected journalist up for asking about it is just ridiculous, and can you imagine if he became the champ.... he can't even get a license to fight in the fight capital of the world

Jack: Yes. He was humiliated in the 1st fight with Anderson Silva but he's comeback in the best possible way. No one else deserves the shot and you can sell a rematch. Who doesn't want to see it? It's fireworks and there's likely to be a KO of the year contender again.

Ben: Yes no doubt about it. Belfort has the best recent record at middleweight, excluding Anderson Silva. He has beat more top fighters than Chris Weidman who is getting his title shot in July and so in my opinion deserves his rematch. As Chris mentioned I think what he did in the post fight press conference by going on the attack when a journalist questioned him about TRT is completely unacceptable and not how a potential champion should be behaving.

Is Belfort a future UFC Hall of Famer? Or will the failed drugs test and TRT use overshadow his career?

Chris: With four KO's of the night, a Heavyweight tournament title, a light heavyweight title, and a host of impressive win, Belfort certainly deserves a place in the UFC hall of fame, I'd be disappointed if his recent issues with TRT saw Belfort miss out on the place he deserves, but I'd also totally understand if he was never to be included. 

Jack: I think you can say yes to both questions. There is no doubt in my mind Belfort will be in the hall of fame. I don't like the idea of fighters being inducted into the UFC hall of fame based on past wins in other organisations Mirko Crocop for example. Belfort deserves induction though. He won the light heavyweight championship nearly 10 years ago and 1st competed in the UFC 16 years ago. That he's still competing at the highest of levels is pretty amazing. Is TRT helping him to stay at that level? Probably and that will no doubt taint his resume as well.

Ben: I think yes he should definitely be in the UFC hall of fame. The problem Belfort has currently is that anytime an article is written about him or he takes part in a interview at some point you know the TRT question is going to be in there. However as it stands the UFC are happy to put him in fights knowing he is on TRT with his previous failed drugs test so on the same basis it shouldn't be held against him getting his deserved entry to the hall of fame.

UFC on FX 8 Main Card Predictions

Kingdom MMA: UFC on FX 8 Main Card Predictions

by Chris Houten @KingdomMMAChris, Tommy Strong @Strong_tea and Jack Broadey @J3cK_b

On Saturday night we will see a middleweight battle with potential title implications as Vitor Belfort and Luke Rockhold fight in Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

A lot of the talk before this fight has been about Vitor fighting again outside the USA and using TRT, something which if he was to fight in the USA probably would not be approved. On top of this both Luke Rockhold and Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza make their UFC debuts and Chris Camozzi gets to test his skills against a top 10 ranked opponent for the first time, all in all it makes for an interesting night of fights.

Below you will find the predictions from some of the guys at Kingdom MMA for the main card.

Vitor Belfort (22-10) #2 MW vs Luke Rockhold (10-1) #5 MW

Jack: I see this being very similar to Belfort-Bisping. If it goes past the 1st round or 2nd Rockhold should take over and have the gas tank to win a comfortable decision. Can he stay away from the Vitor flurry though. I don't think he can. When Vitor lands he hurts you. When he hurts you he moves in for the kill.

Prediction: Belfort by TKO Round 2

Tommy: Just to say from the off, this event really isn't floating my boat! As I slap my face to keep myself awake, not just because of the lack of sleep from a new born child, but mostly due to the underwhelming card.

This is a massive step up for Luke, he hasn't fought anyone with the class of Belfort before. His last win was a decision win over Tim Kennedy, this will be like day and night in calibre of fighters. I was slightly amazed to see Luke being a slight favourite for this fight, I feel he has it all to do come Saturday night.

That being said, I written off a lot of ex-Strikeforce fighters before and they have made a massive impact in the UFC already. As much as i would like to see Belfort lose , I just don't see it. Belfort for me is better in pretty much every department, if Luke can keep it at range and wait for Belfort to tire he stands a chance, though that's easier said than done. Bisping tried the same tactics and ended up TKO'd.

Prediction: Belfort by KO Round 2

Chris: Is Vitor Belfort the best middleweight in the world right now? No, Anderson Silva is, but at this point it's really hard to argue against Vitor at number 2.

In his last 4 fights be destroyed Akiyama, submitted a solid opponent in Rumble Johnson, knocked out a top 5 middleweight in Michael Bisping and came the closest anyone has come to beating Jon Jones.

His opponent Luke Rockhold is an athletic guy and as a fighter he is pretty good at everything. While he holds a win over a fighter with a similar style as Belfort in Jacare, Belfort represents Rockhold's biggest test to date, and to win this fight he will need to stick and move, avoid the big shots and berserker style Belfort employs, and drag Belfort in to the later rounds...... All that while not letting the nerves of being in the main event in his UFC debut, or the crowd get to him.

That being said i think it will all be a little too much for Rockhold, and I like Belfort here. I think the quality he has produced recently has been overshadowed by his TRT use in recent fights, and he ends this fight early, much to the pleasure of the crowd.... And god.

Prediction: Belfort by TKO Round 2

Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza (17-3-1) #8 MW vs Chris Camozzi (19-5)

Jack: This is a tough fight for Camozzi. Souza on paper is better wherever the fight goes. Look for Souza to make a name for himself and put himself into contention talks

Prediction: Souza by Submission Round 1

Tommy: Disappointed that Costa Philippou had to withdraw from the fight, this would've been a great match up with Souza. Now I feel its going to be a damp squid! Souza really impressed me with his win over Ed Herman back in January.

Camozzi isn't a fighter that impresses me and I thought he was lucky to get the decision win over Nick Ring in his last fight. Souza has excellent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and vastly improved striking which will make it a bad night for Camozzi.

Prediction: Souza by Submission Round 3

Chris: I like to think a man is most dangerous when he has nothing to lose, which will be the case for Camozzi on Saturday night. He is fighting a BJJ legend in his homeland who is better in every department.

If Camozzi pulls off the upset fair play to him, and fair play to you if you get him at the general price of 9/2, but I see this one ending in an early night for Chris Camozzi.

Prediction: Souza by Submission Round 2

Rafael Dos Anjos (18-6) #10 LW vs Evan Dunham (14-3)

Tommy: I really like this match up, this could be FOTN. I'm really struggling to pick a winner in this fight. Both are very good fighters and I favour Rafael slightly especially if he can get the fight to the ground.
You know with Dunham, he will come to fight and it will take a good performance by Rafael to get the win.

I keep changing my mind over the outcome of this fight, but I will go with my head and and not my heart pick Dos Anjos to get a narrow win.

Prediction: Dos Anjos by Submission Round 3

Jack: Dunham is tough but he's a slow starter. Always picks it up and appears in exciting match ups. This should be no different. Dos Anjos is a gamer as well and I think he has enough about him to win at least 2 of the 3 rounds.

Prediction: Dos Anjos by Decision

Chris: Put your hands up if you don't this this will be fight of the night.... yeah, didn't think there would be any. As with every Evan Dunham fight this battle has war written all over it.

This fight is pretty much a pick em to be honest but I'm siding with Dos Anjos.

I have been impressed with the radical improvements he is making between fights, and I expect him to come out more aggressive (wouldn't you if you were fighting to the sound of 15k Brazilians chanting "Tu vai morrer") and keep Dunham on the back foot most of the fight.

Prediction: Dos Anjos by Unanimous Decision

Rafael Natal (15-4-1) vs Joao Zeferino (13-4)

Tommy: Zeferino (13-4) will be making his UFC debut this weekend and not knowing much (well anything) about him he's coming into the fight on the back off a 7 fight win streak, with 9 of his 13 of wins coming via submission.

Natal himself also has a impressive win percentage of submissions. 8 of his 15 wins coming via sub. So I expect we will have a stand up battle on our hands. In that case I'm picking Natal to get a stoppage with the knowledge I have on him.

Prediction: Natal by TKO Round 2

Jack: I don't know a whole deal about Zeferino. After a bit of research he has excellent BJJ. I haven't been impressed with Natal's ufc career to date. There could be a shock on the cards here.

Prediction: Zeferino by Submission Round 2

Chris: Like Jack I can't say I'm particularly blown away by Natal either, although I do think he is reasonably well rounded, and has the still set to stop take downs and avoid submission attempts from grappler Zeferino.

Prediction: Natal by Unanimous Decision

Interview: Chris Camozzi: “I’m excited to get a top 10 opponent. Its something I have been asking for."

Kingdom MMA talks to Chris Camozzi ahead of UFC on FX 8

By Chris Houten - @kingdomMMAChris 

On the 3^rd of May less, than 3 weeks away from UFC on FX8 from the Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, The UFC announced that Costa Philippou who was taking on Jacare Souza in the co-main event was injured and had been pulled from the card – Step up, step up Chris Camozzi :

“I was training at the gym and after practice I walked off the mat and saw I had a ton of missed calls from my management, Ingrained Media. Jason told me Joe Silva called and asked if I would be willing to step in.”

Stepping up is something Camozzi has become accustomed to in recent week as the bout with Souza will be Camozzi’s third schedule opponent in just under a month: first Ferreira, then Natal, and now top 10 ranked Middleweight Souza, but Camozzi’s not complaining:

“I’m very excited to get a top ten opponent. Its something I have been asking for. I’m young and making my way up the ranks. I feel like I’m ready for that next step.” Camozzi said.

6-2 in the UFC and currently riding a 4 fight win streak going in the bout on Saturday, former TUF contestant Camozzi has put together some impressive wins of late however Souza who will be fighting in his native Brazil, is undoubtedly the biggest fight in Camozzi’s 24 fight career, but a fight which Camozzi is ready for:

“Every UFC fight is the biggest of my career. Im honored to fight the BJJ legend in his country.”

“My Training camp has been great. We have been working more on me, rather than what my opponent will do. There is always work to be done when it comes to getting better as a fighter.”

A former Strikeforce middleweight champion and 5 time World Ju-Jitsu Champion, Jacare is possibly the best ju-jitsu fighter to ever enter the octagon, however when asked about his game plan on Saturday, Camozzi was quick to mention, his evolving striking:

“I think his striking game is underrated. He has good hands and he is a great athlete. Its been a while since he fought so Im expecting his hands to have improved a lot.” Chris Said.

“[But] my training camp has been great. We have been working more on me, rather than what my opponent will do. There is always work to be done when it comes to getting better as a fighter.”

You can catch Chris Camozzi take on Jacre Souza in the co-main event at UFC on FX 8 on Saturday night live on ESPN in the UK

Two more fights added to UFC on FX 8

UFC on FX 8 adds Dias vs Gamburyan and Alcantara vs Vinicius

by Ben Heather @benheather

Two new fights have been reported as being added to the UFC on FX 8 event in Brazil by Brazilian media SportTV.com. UFC on FX 8 takes place on May 18th and is likely to be held in the Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul.

A bantamweight battle between Yuri Alcantara (27-4 MMA 2-1 UFC) and Marcos Vinicius (20-4-1 MMA 1-1 UFC). Alcantara returns to action after his no contest fight against Pedro Nobre. This was the fight in which Dan Miragliotta deemed blows which landed legally as illegal and so what should have been a TKO 1st round victory for Alcantara was ruled a no contest. That fight also led to Pedro Nobre being released by the UFC.

Marcos Vinicius made his way in to the octagon through The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. In his first appearance in the Octagon he walked away with a knockout of the night bonus for his fight against Wagner Campos. Then in December 2012 he dropped to bantamweight and was on the receiving end of a knockout loss to Johnny Bedford. 

The other match which is a battle between Hacran Dias (21-1-1 MMA 1-0 UFC) and Manny Gamburyan (12-7 MMA 3-5 UFC) both fighters had been scheduled to fight Chad Mendes before injuries prevented both of those fights and now will step in to the octagon to face each other. Dias fights for the first time since winning a unanimous decision over Alcantara in June 2012, he was due to fight Mendes in December but injury meant that fight was scrapped.

As I said Gamburyan was also due to fight Mendes but this time at UFC 157 in February. This time Gamburyan got injured during his camp and will now return to the octagon for the first time since his decision win over Michihiro Omigawa at UFC on FOX 4.

Both of these additions have yet to be made official by the UFC executives yet.

With the new fights added to the card, the UFC on FX 8 card now looks like this:

• Vitor Belfort vs. Luke Rockhold
• Constantinos Philippou vs. Ronaldo Souza
• C.B. Dollaway vs. Cezar Ferreira
• Rafael dos Anjos vs. Evan Dunham
• Mike Rio vs. Francisco Trinaldo
• Lance Benoist vs. Paulo Thiago
• Azamat Gashimov vs. John Lineker
• Roger Hollett vs. Fabio Maldonado
• John Cholish vs. Gleison Tibau
• Chris Cariaso vs. Jussier Formiga*
• Yuri Alcantara vs. Marcos Vinicius*
• Hacran Dias vs. Manny Gamburyan*

* - Not officially announced

UFC on FX 8 (Fightcard)

UFC on FX 8
Date: May 18, 2013 23:00 GMT
Arena Jaragua Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil


UFC on FX 8 sees The UFC return to Brazil for the 2nd time in 2013 featuring a main event bout between Vitor Belfort and the last Strikeforce Middleweight champion Luke Rockhold. Ronaldo Souza is also expected to make his debut on the card against Constantinos Philippou who is on a 5 fight win streak.

Main Card
Vitor Belfort vs. Luke Rockhold
Constantinos Philippou vs. Ronaldo Souza
CB Dollaway vs. Cezar Ferreira
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Evan Dunham

Preliminary Card
Hacran Dias vs. Manny Gamburyan
Mike Rio vs. Francisco Trinaldo
Yuri Alcantara vs. Marcos Vinicius
Lance Benoist vs. Paulo Thiago
Azamat Gashimov vs. John Lineker
Roger Hollett vs. Fabio Maldonado
Facebook Prelims
John Cholish vs. Gleison Tibau
Chris Cariaso vs. Jussier Formiga
Jeremy Larsen vs. Lucas Martins