Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC 187's Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort co-main event
May 22, 2015 - 10:05:01 AM ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC 187's Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort co-main event

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Who wins the Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort co-main event at UFC 187, and how?


DAYNE FOX, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

This fight has lost some steam as it has been simmering for about a year and a half, and the chances of Belfort emerging victorious have gone down as well. Belfort is an old man in MMA years at 38 and no longer benefits from the use of TRT. I don't think he'll fall off the cliff without the supplement, but I find it hard to believe that there won't be some drop off. I'm picking Weidman all the way, I'm just not sure how or when. I'll go out on a limb and say by submission in the third as he uses his wrestling to wear him down before finding an opening.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think there's a chance that Belfort kicks Weidman's head off, but the more likely scenario is that Weidman grinds him down and beats him by decision. I don't know that Weidman will be too eager to engage in a kickboxing match with Belfort so I think he'll clinch him on the cage a lot and try to wear him down. I think Weidman will take him down, but be cautious to avoid a grappling mistake that could cost him the title. I don't expect an especially exciting fight, but I do expect a very tense fight.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think if Belfort wins, it has to be very early. I doubt that happens, and I believe Weidman will win a pretty one sided decision.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I don't believe in Chris Weidman. Let me clarify that. While I don't, every fighter I have picked to defeat a champion has not done it over the last few years, so in a fit of reversing luck I am picking Weidman over Belfort in hopes that I jinx him and we get a champion with charisma. We have a great fight on our hands here that is going to be compelling and violent.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

I've finally woke up and can now appreciate just how good Weidman actually is. I gave him little to none credit for his first knockout victory over Anderson, calling it nothing but gifted, which to an extent I still believe. I found even less reasons to credit him in his second TKO victory but soon realised I was being a hater and not giving a balanced view. Weidman is good, in fact he's very, very good, and it's going to take an awful lot to stop him this coming Saturday.

The biggest question out there is what effect will the lack of TRT have on Belfort and this will only be answered come fight night. Though judging by the pictures out there on social media, the difference is huge, he doesn't look in the same shape as the fighter who destroyed both Michael Bisping inside two rounds, and Luke Rockhold or Dan Henderson both within one round.

I'd still favour Belfort inside the first round no matter who he's facing, but Weidman has the perfect team behind him, who will set out the right game plan for him in order to come away with the victory. He won't have everything his own way early on and may have to survive an onslaught from Belfort but in the end the cardio and grappling of Weidman will be key in the fight, with Weidman getting the fight to the ground in the mid/later rounds and forcing a late stoppage.

Prediction: Weidman TKO RD4.


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

It's hard to get a handle on Vitor Belfort post TRT exemption, but it's probably even more likely that the Brazilian needs to stop the fight early to win the championship. The longer it goes on the more it plays into the hands of the champion. Weidman will look to take Belfort down, early and often and then utilise his excellent ground and pound in top control. Belfort will always be capable of causing the upset, but stylistically this fight shouldn't be too taxing for Weidman. I think he wins by convincing unanimous decision, losing only one round at best.