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<h3><a href="/go=news.detail&gid=447893" target="_blank">
Belfort: UFC should declare interim MW title
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<a href="/go=news.detail&gid=447893" ><img class="photo" src="http://img.mixedmartialarts.com/method=get&rs=53&q=75&x=16&y=65&w=310&h=165&ro=0&s=vitor-belfort-07-30-2014-13-16-24-676.jpg" /></a>
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<p>In 2013 Vitor Belfort had one of the great runs in the history of mixed martial arts, winning all three fights, all by knockout, all via head kick. In 2014, he will fight 0 times, due to injuries and running afoul of PED testing. Assuming all goes well, Belfort will fight Chris Weidman early in 2015.</p>
In an interview with Guilherme Cruz for MMAFighting, "The Phenom" said he is using the layoff to his advantage.
"The fact that I haven’t fought in 2014 will only make my opponents surprised with my performance," said Belfort. "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 my third world title in a different weight class in the UFC."
"The year of 2014 was really full of postponements and twists, but I’m positive that those adversities will only make me stronger and ready for the next challenges. I was expecting to fight and win the title, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. 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."
"Dana White confirmed that my opponent will have to wear a cast for four weeks, and will be cleared (to train) in six. I have to respect the decision that was made. Unfortunately, injuries are part of the routine of professional athletes."
"In this type of situation, everybody loses – the fans, who want to see an incredible fight, the other athlete, who trains hard for a fight, the promoters and sponsors, who want to make it all happen.
"The belt must be available to be conquered by the best fighter. I’m in favor of creating an interim title for cases like this, when the champion gets injured more than once, especially in back-to-back injuries, preventing title fights to happen."
So what do you think UG - should UFC president Dana White create an interim middleweight title here or, umm, not?
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