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29/09/09 - Rickson not sure if Belfort is ready for Anderson title fight
Rickson Gracie believes that Vitor Belfort is not ready to face Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title after having just one fight in the organisation since he returned to it. Belfort blitzed former middleweight champion Rich Franklin in the first round of their fight at UFC 103 but Gracie believes that fight was too short to have made Belfort comfortable in the Octagon again.
“There are many physical, psychological and technical obstacles. Once you’re in the Octagon you have a chance. But it gets very difficult to put Vitor in for a title shot after only that fight with Franklin. He had a layoff and it counts against him to dispute the championship right away,” the Vale Tudo legend explains.
“The pace of fighting has to be taken in account after some time off. Vitor has to fight more times to feel himself dead prepared to Anderson. It would make more sense, but then again he can think he is ready and its won’t be for me to say he is not, you understand?"
That said, Gracie tells Terra.com that Belfort’s naturally heavy and fast hands means he has a chance against anyone if he lands a punch.
"Vitor always had the potential to win using his explosiveness. If you make a mistake versus him, he has heavy big hands. [Franklin] really was a good night for him. He landed a good punch and won with his style. Nothing out of the ordinary for him, nothing surprising at all".
The legendary jiu-jitsu master also said he won’t be having a farewell MMA fight at all, something that has been speculated on for the last few years. “There will not be a farewell fight. I’m very retired,” he said, adding that no amount of money could change his mind.
“It’s not for money at all. That’s my decision and it was planned. I already had my competition time and now my perspective and competitive desires are focused in another field. It’s important to find the time to stop. It’s no to keep forcing it. What happened is over. Now it’s time to move on”.
According to Gracie, what really matters for him is “doing positive work for jiu-jitsu, to make people realise the value of martial arts, to make it a benefit to the communities”.
“You don’t have got to fight to have the confidence of a champion. You can wake up every day, look at the mirror and say you’re able. So you’ll face the adversities of the day. I want to pass the theory part on that you can learn from fighting but don’t need to fight to get the confidence. I’m trying to plan a project, a way to pass this concept on,” he explained.
Rickson Gracie often claimed a record of over 400 wins in grappling tournaments but this was unverified and some people, including his late father Helio, disputed its accuracy. However, he does sport a professional MMA record of 11-0, with most of his fights being fought under Vale Tudo rules.
The Brazilian Ninja
FO Staff Brasil
Thebrazilianninja@gmail.com
Please note: While the original interview was conducted by Terra.com.br the translation was produced by Fighters Only Ltd and is subject to copyright. Media are asked to credit both Terra.com.br as the original source and Fighters Only for any extract from this English translation that is used. Thank you.
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