Of course, but it should be a good fight nonetheless.
I have lot all my respect for my namesake...there I would like to be known as WilliamsFan from now on...I feel disgraced with the name of Edge on me...
It's too hard to say what level Vitor really is at right now after only seeing him in action for seconds against Marvin Eastman. It certainly means he's at a very high level, and he does have the skills to beat anyone IMO, Randy included.
But having seen so little of himm it doesn't mean you can realistically bet that he'll be able to deal with all the tools that Randy brings in...
If they'd given him a fight with Franklin, Sobral, Horn or even Matyushenko beforehand, things might be clearer.
The same dark cloud that shrouded over Ken's abilities on UFC 40. When the match was announced way back UFC 37.5, I didn't know what Ken's shape was and how he'd perform against one of the most dominating champions in UFC history. With that said, it makes sense for the UFC to throw this fight in since people don't really have a good idea of how Belfort performs after his quick devastation of Mr. Eastman. There will be myths about how this fight will turn out and while Randy Couture's performance is a secret no longer, the big question mark is Vitor Belfort.
I read some articles that Vitor seems to be back to his old shotgun punches he used to use to drop people in the octagon. If that's the case, I think he will be much more lethal now with that style than he did way back at UFC 13(?)... when he first got KOed by Randy. I think Vitor has better cardio and his fights in Pride must help him evolve as a fighter. One thing's for sure. Vitor is no walk-over for Randy. Watching Randy fight Tito. Sure, Randy was pretty much on the offensive all night, but Tito sure made him work for it. Tito was no push over. He just wasn't in the position to throw anything. Vitor will be in a much better position to fight Randy than Tito, if it goes to the ground and Vitor (assuming he still has those shotgun strikes) has a formidable stand up game. Which means we could see one hell of a fight. But I still think Randy will come up on top.
The reason that Randy was able to defeat Tito as easily as he did was because Randy was the superior wrestler. Fighting Vitor, who is a superior striker and skilled at bjj, is going to be completely different. In the first fight, Vitor showed that he also had superior strength. Randy has to be on the top of his game for this fight. Vitor is going to be pumped up after his vicious defeat of Marvin Eastman. In that fight he showed great knee strikes and unbelievably fast punching. Randy has to continue cirlcling to his left, get through Vitor's initial burst of power, and take him to the ground, pounding the crap out of him.
Randy is an animal, and if these two fighters are at the top of their game, it will be an amazing fight.
Vitor ALWAYS has a chance to beat anybody with his unbelievable punching power and explosiveness, but I think it far more likely that Couture will take him down to the mat and pound on him much like he did to Tito until Vitor cries. I do not, however, predict a spanking in this one.
I just read that the injuries are not as bad as indicated yesterday morning. He just ended up getting stitches in his eyelid. He also suffered a retina abrasion and minor problems with the pupil. It appears his career is not in jeopardy and can train in 10 days - 2 weeks. A rematch looks to be almost a sure thing.
Apparently, according to some people who were ringside. Vitor wanted to refuse the belt and have it called a No-Contest. He also immediately said he would grant Randy a rematch.
Just goes to show, Vitor is a credit to the sport, as an athlete and as a man.
I also hope that, despite everything, it will have entirely restored his confidence, if needed be.
And most of all, I pray they find his sister Priscila safe and sound.