Vitor Belfort (24-10) has not fought since Nov. 2013, and won't step into the UFC cage to try and take Chris Weidman's middleweight title until 2015, but "The Phenom" says he'll be sharp as ever come fight night.�"The fact that I haven?t fought in 2014 will only make my opponents surprised with my performance," Belfort told Guilherme Cruz in a recent interview.
"I had time to adapt myself and evolve even more. Despite not having fought, I worked hard at Blackzilians and spent this whole time getting ready to win."
The 37 year-old Belfort says that he keeps himself in shape year-round. The Brazilian believes that intensity of his training in South Florida will keep him ready for Weidman (12-0), who is currently recovering from a hand injury.
My training routine is intense, it?s part of my lifestyle. I will continue focused on reinventing myself and getting stronger every day, waiting for the fight," Belfort went on.
"I have 18 years of a professional career and my preparation doesn?t depend on a fight schedule."
Belfort, of course, says he's doing all of this training without the aid of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or other banned drugs and treatments that he's tested positive for in the past. Many of his middleweight rivals have predicted that Belfort - who failed his most recent drug test this year, but was not suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission, and was then given another title shot by the UFC - may not even make it to the fight with Weidman, because they predict his body won't be able to handle the brutal fight prep all professional MMA fighters go through, without the aid of the drugs hes used for at least the past several years.
Past coaches of Belfort like Olympic wrestling gold medalist Kenny Monday, however, say that the future hall of famer is as strong as ever, even without TRT. Let us know how you think the fight will go down (or, if it will at all) in the comments section.
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