Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort go face-to-face in Rio de Janeiro; Mike Tyson joins “Phenom’s” camp

“”Mike Tyson was a great inspiration to many athletes and in my career since I was a child. We have much in common and had fame too soon. We always have good conversations.

I told him that he’s used badly, because he has great views of fighting. He knows a lot of martial arts, but they aren’t given the proper value. He said he wanted to be part of my camp, and it was a pleasure to be part of my training. I told him to come in and give me some tips. He’s an important person in the sport and was a great motivator for many successful fighters. I think it’s important to have a recovery.

It’s hard to expect anything from Anderson because he’s very thorough. I’m seeking the fullness of everything, but I focused on jiu-jitsu and boxing; that’s my lethal weapon. I will also training karate, with Jayme Sandall coming in. I’m training muay Thai to practice the combination of blows. I’ll try to use wisdom, and if people think I only have a chance to win in the first round, I’ll show them they were wrong. I focus on things that need improving, and I’m working hard on that.” – Radio Portal do Vale Tudo via Sherdog

Also, Brazilian website Tatame.com brings quotes from Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort, said at UFC’s press conference in Rio de Janeiro last week. Silva and Belfort had another staredown at the press conference, nearly a year since they were supposed to fight at UFC 112: Invincible in Abu-Dhabi (props: MMAMania.com):

Vitor Belfort – “I’m training, doing my best. I’m sure that this event in February will bring a very intense bout, because it’s hard to study Anderson, he’s an excellent fighter, the best pound for pound in the world. I’ve been sacrificing my days so that, on February 5th, I can do a good show for you.”

Anderson Silva – “First of all, I’m really glad I’m fighting a guy like Vitor, even because before I started fighting he already was a champion. He became a champion really young, so it’s cool that we can make these dreams come true, we can do our job and do what we do best: fight and change many things.”

Headlining one of the biggest UFC cards of all time, Vitor Belfort will get his chance to join Randy Couture and BJ Penn in holding UFC title in more than one weight class. The heavy handed Brazilian striker will make his UFC Middleweight debut in a title fight against reigning Champion Anderson Silva, as they two headline the stacked UFC 126 fight card. This will be Belfort’s second UFC fight this term, after he defeated Rich Franklin at 195-pound catchweight bout in September 2009.

The stacked card features a host of talent, including Forrest Griffin vs Rich Franklin, Jon Jones vs Ryan Bader, as well as the UFC debuts of Kid Yamamoto, Miguel Torres and Michihiro Omigawa.

So Lowkicker’s, with the Middleweight title going home with the winner, can Vitor Belfort take the strap from Anderson Silva? Or will “The Spider” deal with “The Phenom” the way he has with all his past victims?