Vítor Belfort, who once was the light heavyweight champion of the UFC, is back with everything. After returning to the biggest MMA event of the world and knocking down Rich Franklin, Vítor is showing that the "phenom" is returning. The fighter, who is being considered to face Anderson Silva, is always in search of new things to add to his game. This time, Belfort has bet on Karate and recently was promoted to blue belt by Vinício Anthony. This tough guy exchanged an idea with TATAME and spoke about his new weapon, commented on how the martial art has added up in his repertoire, commented on his probable fight against Anderson Silva and much more.


What's the importance of this blue belt that you received? Do you intend to continue in Karate?

It's a very important acquisition for me. Like everything in life, we have to create the foundations, the bases, and so I am creating my base here. I'm enjoying it a lot, I am very happy to learn a new martial art. Ever since I was a child I dreamed about training, I trained when I was really little and stopped. When I went to fight against a fighter some time back, I trained with Vinício, but I didn't have continuity. Now I'm back and it's been some time that I've been fighting and I feel very satisfied to be able to meet the great Tanaka, who's a legend of the sport. I'm very happy.


How did you get started in Karate? How did this partnership with Vinício Anthony and Jayme arise?

I was always close to him, he's a guy that refined several other arts, boosted me a lot and was a very motivating factor for me to be doing this. I met Jayme through Vinícius and was an "ace" for my last fight. He went with me to the United States, he stayed right there with me and helped me a lot. Him and Vinício are crucial people, they are teaching me and putting Karate inside my soul. I'm here benefiting the maximum, inside my limitations, but I have dedicated myself. Jayme, beyond a great professor, has been a great companion and friend that I was able to gain, he's a person with character and extreme wisdom. Vinício is the column of this trio, he's the person that brings us together, he's experienced, he understands, he comprehends, he evolves. Unfortunately he could not go to my last fight due to passport problems, but next time we will be there, the complete trio.


In your fight against Rich Franklin you had a slightly different base, is this the fruit of the Karate training?

In MMA, you can't attribute your victory to only one art, because we are representing the martial arts. The foundation of Karate is you develop your knowledge, not just toward one technique, but you have to develop several other techniques. Karate serves for us to develop growth. We have to grow inside of Karate, to learn the ground part, it's a mixture, and so I'm there representing the martial arts. Karate was very important for this fight, for sure, but you can't give the credit only to one martial art. I give the credit to Karate and to everything that I've learned, but it was definitely something distinct in that fight and something that I've managed to embed inside my soul.


Speaking of Karate, the association with Lyoto is very close. What do you think of him and who would you bet on in the fight against Shogun?

Lyoto is a phenomenal fighter, that is able to couple all the arts together, and Karate is his main one. He is a very good fighter, very beautiful to see fight, I adore Lyoto. The fight against Shogun I believe that will be tough, but for me, Lyoto will win. Shogun is a very tough fighter, but in my view Lyoto has the upper hand.


Recently, Anderson commented that he thought it difficult for you to strike with him. What do you think of that? How do you envision this fight?

I just see this fight unraveling, I can't determine anything before, I can't possibly know what will happen tomorrow. I will train in all areas and when it comes time we will see what happens. As far as talking leave it to him, what matters to me is doing my homework knowing that Anderson is a very tough fighter in all areas and I will prepare myself for everything.


Would you like to have a fight before the belt or go right for the title shot?

As a fighter, I prefer not to bog myself down with these choices, because it gets into the psychology of the fighter, and I am prepared to fight with any fighter. The belt, for me, is only a distraction that many win and feel unbeatable. I don't think about it, I only focus on my next opponent, and so I will enter with an open mind and with all the arts that I've learned and developed inside my game and try to apply them.


How is your head, how does Vítor feel today?

I'm happy, joyful, pleased, without any psychological pressure. I have my problems, but I face them. There's a saying at home that my wife always says which is "face your fears and live your dreams", and I stuck to it. I think that fear is part of the human being, but the important thing is to face it and live your dreams.

http://tatame.com.br/2009/10/08/%27Vitor-Belfort