“I know I can beat him if I’m ready when I step into the Octagon. It’s just a matter of doing what you’re capable of doing, and I think I’m capable to go there and fight and get the win.”
No matter what happens in the UFC 126 main event on Saturday night in Las Vegas, to many people, 33-year old middleweight challenger Vitor Belfort will always be 19.

Belfort to veteran fans is remembered as the 19 year old “Phenom”, who dominated the early days of the UFC with Knock out victories over Tra Telligman, Scott Ferrozzo, Tank Abbott, and Wanderlei Silva. When asked about watching his past fights Belfort had this to say.

“I watch them sometimes,” said Belfort of his first UFC bouts. “But I don’t like to see myself on video.”

Belfort is quick to point out that he is not the same fighter he was back then. He has totally evolved into a well rounded MMA fighter his style is much different then his earlier fights of wild flailing fists with little technique.

“I know I’m capable of using my experience now,” he said, making it clear that while the power and speed remains, the reckless part of his personality and fighting style is gone. “It’s part of the job. Sometimes you can score a touchdown, sometimes you can’t. But we always can do better. We have to be a better man, a better athlete, a better father, a better everything every day. We always have to improve.”

Belfort will need to utilize all his skills tomorrow night as he squares off against Anderson Silva, the middleweight champion who has up until now dominated the division crushing everyone in his path. His record speaks for itself as 12-0 which is a record number of middleweight title defense fights.

with a record number of middleweight title defenses and an unbeaten 12-0 slate in the Octagon. Belfort doesn’t have much to say about Silva, simply cutting it down to “Anderson is a pretty tough fighter. He’s improving every time he steps in the Octagon, and he’s the champion.”

Belfort is not worried though and seems very optimistic about the fight and his future in the UFC.

“I always live for the future,” he said. “I’m always looking forward to what is next, and what is next is the title. I’m very happy I have this opportunity, and I’m training hard, I’m doing my job, so on February 5th I can put everything I’m doing now in action. I want to leave the Octagon saying that I did everything I could. I know I’m fighting a champion, a guy who’s one of the best, pound for pound, in the world, and I’m prepared to go in there and do my thing. And that’s the point of life. You have to be better than yesterday.”