Affliction Veep: Belfort Turned Downed Mousasi
Jake Rossen Jun 10, 2009
Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio
took a break from grandstand challenges to Dana White to inform
5thRound.com that
Vitor Belfort is the spoilsport in the Belfort/Gegard Mousasi clash
proposed for their Aug. 1 card.
“… We wanted Vitor to go up to a [catch weight] of 195 lbs,” Atencio said. “… I don’t understand why he didn’t take it. It was win-win for him.”
Was it really? Belfort’s fans have reasons for renewed optimism: His run at middleweight has gotten off to a great start with consecutive KO victories over a tough Terry Martin and a perpetually difficult Matt Lindland. Why stall out taking a fight in a weight class that doesn’t even exist?
I’m growing increasingly despondent over the rash of catch bouts that are popping up. It’s a sign that promotions outside of the UFC have such skeletal rosters that the only solution is to begin shuffling fighters around and creating compromising poundages out of thin air. Attribute it to my OCD or don’t, but completely random fights do nothing for the sport’s structure. (And I’ll happy point a finger at the pending Wanderlei Silva vs. Rich Franklin clash this weekend -- at a bizarro 195 pounds)
Stay at 185, Vitor. It suits you.
“… We wanted Vitor to go up to a [catch weight] of 195 lbs,” Atencio said. “… I don’t understand why he didn’t take it. It was win-win for him.”
Was it really? Belfort’s fans have reasons for renewed optimism: His run at middleweight has gotten off to a great start with consecutive KO victories over a tough Terry Martin and a perpetually difficult Matt Lindland. Why stall out taking a fight in a weight class that doesn’t even exist?
I’m growing increasingly despondent over the rash of catch bouts that are popping up. It’s a sign that promotions outside of the UFC have such skeletal rosters that the only solution is to begin shuffling fighters around and creating compromising poundages out of thin air. Attribute it to my OCD or don’t, but completely random fights do nothing for the sport’s structure. (And I’ll happy point a finger at the pending Wanderlei Silva vs. Rich Franklin clash this weekend -- at a bizarro 195 pounds)
Stay at 185, Vitor. It suits you.
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