Underestimated Underdog

                              The 'Phenom' and his slim chances

     Vegas lines right now have Vitor at a 2-1 underdog for his scheduled title challenge against mastermind Anderson Silva this Saturday.  There are many people that don't think the line should even be this close, but I'm going to show you why this fight could be as close as a coin flip.  Here is some insight to Vitor Belfort, and his unappreciated career.

                                      The explanation to his role


     Vitor has been fighting in mma for 15 years.  With 27 fights that's less than 2 fights a year.  The first 12 years he was fighting at open, heavy, and light heavyweight.  In the last 3 years he has fought only twice at middleweight, and most recently a catch weight at 195 with Rich Franklin.  When I say most recently I mean September 2009.  It's not entirely his fault for these long layoffs, and the recent ones, because injuries have plagued him and his opponents and that's how things work in mma.  Now whether he deserves a title shot is up for debate.  I personally don't think his short but long(time span) and midly impressive run at middleweight entitles him a title shot a year and a half later with no fillers.  The truth however, is whether he deserves the shot or not in no way determines whether he can perform on the level to win the title.  Let's take a little look at his career in numbers.  

-Vitor has finished 15 of his 19 fights
-13 of these wins were knockouts
-12 of his 13 knockouts came in the first round
-He TKOed his first 4 opponents ever
-As well as his last 3 opponents
-He has overwhelmed top competition over the years such as Tank Abbott, Wanderlei Silva, Gilbert Yvel, Heath Herring, Marvin Eastman, Randy Couture, Matt Lindland, and Rich Franklin


                               But Sam, he's 19-8.  Come on now...


   Okay lets take a quick peak at these losses and we'll see how you feel after.

-First career loss, age 20, to Randy the natural Couture.
-Second loss to Kazushi Sakuraba* at pride 5, via decision
-Third loss to Chuck Liddel
-Fourth loss to Randy Couture (rubber match)
-Fifth loss to Tito Ortiz
-Sixth and seventh losses to Alistair Overeem
-Eighth loss to Dan Henderson.
 


                                  Oh I recognize those names......

    
     That list could easily be mistaken for a mma hall of fame list.  If your unfamiliar with Kazushi Sakuraba, then do some research because that man is just as worthy as any other on the list.  Nicknamed the Gracie Killer for having victories over 4 members of the Gracie family, he once fought a 90 minute mma bout(longest recorded in mma).  Vitor's losses are about as irrelevant as Randy Coutures.  You can't just look at the numbers you have to look at who he has fought.



                                      YOUNG GUNS A BLAZIN

     Here's a video for anyone with time of vitors first few fights in stunning fashion.  If he is even a shell of his younger self, then believe he has a 'punchers chance' times 5.

 


                                             His chances now?


     I'm still taking Anderson, but I will not call it an upset if Vitor wins.  If you are under the impression that too much time has past or that Vitor is too old, you could eat your words.  Vito is only 33, where Anderson will sit across the cage from him at the Age of 35.  This is a fight your better off not putting a wager on, but if you must, 2-1 are not bad odds and that is where you could lay good money.