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Should Vitor Belfort get a rematch with Anderson Silva after his KO win over Luke Rockhold?
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
On paper, he should have gotten the Silva rematch in front of Weidman getting his shot. And Belfort sure as hell shouldn't have been saddled with a major step back like Luke Rockhold. Solid fighter, solid guy (too talkee but solid), mediocre fighter. So yeah, on paper, Belfort is the only logical guy.
But Rich; why do you keep saying 'on paper' so often? Why, that's such a good question, gentle reader. Let me explain. Since dropping to middleweight, Vitor Belfort has gone 7-2, with wins over Terry Martin, Matt "Twitch" Lindland, Rich Frankin*, Yoshihiro Akiyama**, Anthony Johnson***, Michael Bisping, and Luke Rockhold. His only losses have been at the hands of a couple of dudes you've probably heard of in Anderson Silva and Jon Jones. That's a hell of a record there.
However, as many asterisks as you see above, at least that many more should be in play due to his use of TRT. Belfort's low T-levels are very likely due to his abuse of steroids earlier in his career. Keith Kizer has already said that he's unlikely to license Belfort if he continues with the TRT. So even though his record and resume demand the next title shot at 185, there's nothing in it for the UFC. Imagine the embarrassment the UFC would feel (not that they're capable of shame, mind you) having a champion who couldn't get licensed in their home base of Nevada, not to mention in a few dozen other states as well. Why would the UFC want to put themselves in that position? Then again, why wouldn't their Vice President of Nothing Matt Hughes slap Belfort with a Code of Conduct violation fine and suspension for threatening John Morgan's posterior?
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Yeah, but it shouldn't come anytime soon. If Silva beats Weidman I want to see him fight Jon Jones next. If Weidman wins I think you give Silva an immediate rematch unless Weidman wins in convincing fashion. No matter what happens it's likely that the middleweight title won't be defended again for several months.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
He has earned it, but the TRT tarnishes it. He is cheating and the UFC has allowed this double standard. Dana White has said he does not like TRT, yet he allows it in the UFC. It is puzzling at best to me, why he is still fighting for the promotion. I think Anderson Silva might be done after his fight with John Jones if the UFC can pull that fight off, so this might be a moot point. A better question might be, will the UFC allow someone who uses TRT to become a champion after Silva retires?
C.J. TUTTLE, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Yes.
Two weeks ago? No.
The knockout of Rockhold was impressive and anyone who says it wasn't has some sort of predisposed bias. Following the Bisping fight I was left feeling it was more of a fluke than a resurgence and Belfort was still prone to being outworked as before. But, after Saturday I am no longer on the fence and wish to see a re-match between the two.
Following SIlva's fight with Weidman, it could be really great to see a Brazilian card with this sitting right on top of it.
CAMERON LYMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Unfortunately yes. He has finished two contenders in dominant fashion. I say unfortunately because his recent resurgence is marred by the fact that the is undergoing TRT. This is a huge asterisk beside his recent wins and the dialogue surrounding TRT and Belfort will only grow were he to win the belt.
ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I can see Belfort getting the nod once more, but honestly, it's still going to be the same result. I'd like a fresher match-up like maybe against Jacare, but you never know considering things can change in the UFC (injuries) and Belfort would be a great sub in either the middleweight or light-heavyweight division.
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST
Title opportunities should be based on a fighter's ability and performance inside the Octagon. No one else in the middleweight division has come anywhere close to being as effective as Belfort recently (including Weidman). It baffles me that the UFC doesn't want to give Belfort a shot so soon after Anderson SIlva obliterated him.
Cain Velasquez dismantled Antonio Silva only last year, yet he gets a rematch even if the first fight wasn't for a belt. TRT issues aside, the man's last two knock-out wins have been electric to watch. If the UFC does decide to offer Belfort another title shot, though, I'll be amazed if Silva doesn't insist on it taking place in Las Vegas.
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