Vitor Belfort and Alan Belcher Head to Head: Who will win at UFC 153?

Vitor Belfort (21-9 MMA, 10-5 UFC) and Alan Belcher (18-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) have verbally agreed to meet on the main card of UFC 153 on October 13 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s HSBC Arena.

Belcher was originally looking to fight Michael Bisping and the two called each other out in the press. Bisping eventually was slotted to face Brian Stann, dashing Belcher’s hopes for that bout. Belcher will now face Beltor in a bout that is expected to have real implications for the Middleweight title.

Belcher stated in an interview with MMAWeekly.com, yesterday: “I want a challenge and if that means going to Brazil and fighting one of the best Brazilians ever, then let’s do it. I’m willing to fight anyone, the bigger, the stronger, the better the opponent, and the setting that is the scariest, is the most attractive fight for me, Cause right now that’s what motivates me is the challenge, my fear of losing. I’m so motivated to keep winning and get that belt.”

Let’s see how the two fighters measure up, head-to-head.

Striking: 60-40 Belfort

Belfort has become famous for his big left hand. Out of his 21 career wins in MMA, 14 of those came by way of knockout or TKO. His one venture into pro boxing produced the same. Yoshihiro Akiyama, Matt Lindland and Rich Franklin have all fallen prey to “the Phenom” since his return to the UFC, three years ago.

Belcher is no palooka and 9 of his 18 victories have come by way of KO/TKO, most recently over Rousimar Palhares in May. His win prior to that was actually a verbal submission due to strikes over Jason MacDonald last September. He has a very competent stand-up game, but Belfort is definitely the stronger in this category.

Wrestling: 55-45 Belcher

Belcher is definitely a wrestler at heart. Before winning over Palhares via TKO due to ground and pound, “the Talent” completely dominated “Toquinho”, (a submission artist in his own right) on the canvas. Throughout that fight, he successfully defended against every takedown attempt.

“The Phenom” has only been submitted once and like Belcher his takedown defense is superb. However, Belfort is a striker, first. This is a close one, but in my opinion, Belcher is the better wrestler.

Submission Skills: 55-45 Belcher

Both of these fighters are black belts in BJJ and Judo. Like Belfort, Belcher has only been submitted once in his career. Bottom line: neither of them likes to tap out. While Belcher is the more likely of the two to go for a sub, I do not see it being successful against Belfort. If it does go to ground it will be in the realm of acquiring a mount and going for a ground and pound. In that regard I would give an edge to Belcher.

Summary:
This should be a war. Most likely this will be a stand-up match for the most part, barring someone getting rocked or slipping on the canvas. Both fighters can stand and bang and both have excellent takedown defense. Belfort has 3 losses to KO/TKO: once to Anderson Silva and twice to Randy Couture. Belcher has 2 KO losses to Jason Day and Edwin Aguilar, earlier in his career. I think the longer this fight goes, the better the chances for Befortt landing that big left paw and putting Belcher down. Belcher is going to have to go for the win early on.

It will definitely be a fight to watch and will put the winner that much closer to facing Anderson Silva for the title.