GC
good points. I am mostly in agreement with you, but I think that his new Top Team coaches are making a real difference. I think they are teaching him how to fight tactically smart. In the past he wanted to get an exciting knockout, but they are making him realize that he needs to exploit his comparative advantages against a given opponent.
Take Yvel as an example. This guy has great standup strikes, So Vitor concentrated on taking him down and poundng Yvel on the ground. He was also very careful to keep Yvel on the ground and not let him get up where he could do real damage (except when the friggin Pride referees stood them up! But thats a whole different headache). This was a new Vitor to me - he fought a strategic fight and got a good victory. I doubt he would have done this a few years earlier.
Can Vitor beat Sak, Frank or Tito? I dont know, but if he plays to his comparative advantages against them, I think that he has a good chance. Tito is tough, but can he take Vitor down and keep him down? If not, he would get some heavy abuse standing up. And if Vitor could force Tito into his guard, he would keep him there and G&P for the rest of the round.
I agree that Vitor doesnt seem to have any kicks, but from his demonstrations of striking power against Silva & Yvel, I think that he would beat Shammy at the standup game. His hands just seem to good.
But regardless, these all would be fascinating fights. If only the friggin Pride people would make them happen!!
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