Dana White: Vitor Belfort still No. 1 contender, but only with win over Dan Henderson

[Dale]

At the very least, Vitor Belfort and UFC President Dana White agree on one thing -- Belfort is the middleweight division's No. 1 contender.

White repeated that sentiment on Tuesday, stating on a conference call that Belfort "definitely" still held claim to middleweight's top spot, despite his upcoming light heavyweight bout against Dan Henderson.

Where the two sides differ, though, is whether Belfort's UFC Fight Night 32 date with Henderson has the chance to affect his 185-pound ranking.

"If [Belfort] loses to Dan Henderson, could he still fight for the title? No, I don't think so," White said.

"Vitor's got to win the fight. This isn't one of those fights where he's moving up to light heavyweight to fight Jon Jones. He's fighting another 185-pounder. They just decided not to cut weight, to fight at 205."

In the wake of spectacular knockout wins over Michael Bisping and Luke Rockhold earlier this year, Belfort (23-10) campaigned aggressively for a middleweight title shot against the winner of Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva I. However the bizarre nature of Weidman's victory, couple with Silva's astonishing era of dominance, led to the booking of an immediate rematch, set for December 28, 2013.

With the middleweight division effectively on hold until then, Belfort refused to fight again at 185 pounds unless it was for a title shot, believing himself to be the division's rightful No. 1 contender. Belfort instead offered to fight at a catchweight, light heavyweight, or even heavyweight, with the belief that a bout held in a different division would have no bearing on his middleweight standing.

"I think me and Vitor always have different ideas of what we think things mean," White said flatly to the notion.

Regardless of any disagreements, Belfort, like Henderson, is a grizzled veteran of the sport with a career stretching back to the mid-1990's. So while White acknowledges that Henderson should "possibly start thinking about retirement" if he loses his third fight in a row, it's clear that White respects what Belfort has been able to accomplish during his late-career resurgence.

"The Vitor Belfort of today is nothing like the Vitor Belfort of the past," White said. "There [used to be] lots of speculation about Vitor's mental (game), where he was mentally when he goes into a fight. And you haven't seen that at all lately. Mentally he is a beast, physically he is a beast. He looks more well-rounded than ever."

So surely he HAS to be next in line now providing he beats Hendo, right? Although it would be pretty hilarious if he lost after all this time.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

Re: Dana White: Vitor Belfort still No. 1 contender, but only with win over Dan Hende

I get the feeling Dana doesn't like Vitor. Also since when has Hendo been a MW? 2010? He's been a LHW ever since he returned to the UFC.

 

[Slim]

Re: Dana White: Vitor Belfort still No. 1 contender, but only with win over Dan Hende

Vitor has def earned his shot but Uncle Dana wants to hold him back. you know he is hoping Hendo wins somehow. But I just can't see Vitor losing this fight either which will put him as the next challenger for the middleweight title.

 

[Deezy]

Re: Dana White: Vitor Belfort still No. 1 contender, but only with win over Dan Hende

Prety obvious Dana White doesn't like old guys holding titles, because it gives off the illusion of weak divisions like boxings heavywights.

Still say he should just create a name value division....guys who helped build the company, but are not heading towards titles, but have great name value.

 

[The Cork]

Re: Dana White: Vitor Belfort still No. 1 contender, but only with win over Dan Hende

I think Hendo gets stopped for the first time here.

Vitor looks so quick and agile right now, which is everything Hendo isn't. He's probably the most exciting fighter in the sport currently.