I hate to say this about Vitor

[Hookah Smokin Caterpillar]

But does anyone agree that when Vitor starts fighting top MWs again he'll be #1? Who can beat Vitor? Best stand up of any MW, and also one of the best at takedowns and ground positioning. Both his big loses were against a bigger wrestler and a much smarter fighter. Actually both times he went in with a bad game plan. He no longer throws 30 punches in a row in the first 30 seconds hoping to knock his opponent out and if he doesn't give up and lose. I know I only saw him fight Southworth yesterday, but look at him! He looks incredible. If Vitor is really serious about MMA now, who do I think can beat him?

Not Silva
Not Henderson
Definatly not any of the lighter MWs like Renzo, Sakuraba, Newton so don't mention any of those guys. If Pride 13 proved anything, its that we need weight classes

Tito vs. Vitor though, I would pay to see that.

However, Frank, no matter what always seems like a threat to everyone. God knows why

[Mr. Miyagi]

Yeah, you're right. Definitely not Sakuraba. HAHAHA.

"Vitor went in there with a bad game plan..." well maybe everyone that Vitor beat went into there with a bad game plan too.

[aikidoka]

DEFINATELY not silva...ultimate brazil anyone? hahah

[aikidoka]

i wanna see rizzo vs belfort

[DIRE WOLF]

Hopefully Vitor will go to the UFC so he can humiliate Tito.

[Hookah Smokin Caterpillar]

Miyagi,

Obviously, my post wasn't from the POV of a Vitor fan. I don't like Vitor, but I believe he is one of the best fighters out there. Bad game plan against Sakuraba, you honestly think Sakuraba is a better ANYTHING than Vitor? I love Sak, but come on

[Martial Artist]

I think that Silva has a stand up fighters shot at Belfort but I imagin that Vitor would get the takedown and Ground and pound to a decision.Vitor is like the missing link of MMA.A jiu-jitsu fighter, that has VERY fast hands, and the best takedown of any middleweight except for Ortiz.But I dont think that Tito has the ground game, or the hands to fight with Vitor.

[TracyKarate]

Yes! Vitor is a true warrior! I have watches many times he displays the "warrior way". I don't believe there is anyone from the UFC that can defeat Vitor.

[festiva]

igor vovanchin

[festiva]

it will depend on his ability to adapt and find the best trainers in the world since no one knows what belforts focus is we cant really tell..ill tell you this if belfort goes in there slugging and not thinking hell get murdered...hell either mature into a great fighter or hell get retired quick ..

[Mr. Miyagi]

Vitor beats Southworth (whom I'd never heard of) and suddenly everyone thinks he's the best? C'mon, he still has a lot to prove. How can you say that Saku has no chance against him? Last time they fought Vitor looked embarrassing! Tito has everything it takes to hang with Vitor, Vitor could never take him down, Tito hung with the best at AD last year, Tito could do exactly what Couture did to Vitor. Vitor may or may not have gotten lucky against Silva; Vitor might beat him again but definitely not by a quick KO like last time, I hope that PRIDE matches them up for the next show. If Vitor beats Silva again then I'll agree that he's a contender for top middleweight.

[keithws]

What happens when Vitor gets hit a few times or faces adversity in a fight. The truth is, he might be the most talented fighter in the middles but he's still never proven his heart.

I think he'd beat Silva again because he's a superior boxer and faster! But, Tito and Randleman would work him.

Vitor's tough when he has physical advantages but will crumble again when he matches up against grapplers with similiar physical attributes.

With that being said, I think Vitor's one of the top 5 or 6 middles in the world.

later dudes.............

[Hookah Smokin Caterpillar]

Basically Keith, you said what I was trying to say.

Vitor IMO is the best MW out there right now. Think about it, he's one of the best at all the attributes it takes to be a great MMAer. If Vitor was Japanese he'd probably never lose because of their "fighting spirit." Anyone else notice that none of the Japanese fighters EVER give up? I mean they may have to tap sometimes, but they will fight and continue fighting no matter what. Look at Sak vs. Silva for goodness sake. Silva was murdering him and Sak was fighting back the entire time and didn't want the fight stopped! I don't think Vitor would've put up a better fight even though I think Vitor is a better EVERYTHING than Sak. Vitor has the tools to be #1, but the question is will he ever? Vitor could be unstoppable...

[Mr. Miyagi]

Vitor may have the tools to be #1 but I think he would always have problems against superior wrestlers like Randleman, Tito, and Henderson. He has that quitter attitude that showed miserably when he fought with Sakuraba.

[Hookah Smokin Caterpillar]

Most BJJ guys seem to be having problems with wrestlers these days, but I think Vitor has the stand up tools and the decent wrestling skills. How much does Randleman weigh anyway, how the hell is he a MW now? I wake up one morning and Randleman isn't a roided up Coleman Jr. anymore? Tito isn't a MW either and neither is Vitor, we need weight classes!

HWs, 210+
LHWs, 200-209
MW, 190-199
umm.. cruieserweight, 180-189

And the rest of the divisions seem already set up, in this set up guys like Sak don't have to fight monster "middleweights" like Tito and Randleman