Vitor should be #1 soon!

[Eazy-E]

Gents,

After watching Vitor's systematic dissection of his last two opponents, I think that he deserves the chance at Sak or one of the other top middleweights! He has the all around game and good coaching now to beat just about any MW out there.

Serious congratulations are in order to his new coaches: Liborio, Sperry, Goes, Bustamove... These guys have gotten him to fight strategically, and this will make a real difference in the future. I think that his style of G&P is certainly the most exciting out there - the way he sits back on him heels and throws heavy bursts on punches at the guy in his guard.

When does he get a chance against Sak, Frank, or Tito?

Vitor arguably has the best stand-up striking game in the MWs. Against good grapplers he can try to standup and pummel them, and if taken down, use his new G&P tactic until he can standup again. And he seems to be a good enough grappler that he would be hard to keep down if he want to stand up.

I think that Vitor has a better striking game than Sak, Frank or Tito. That would force them to try to take him down and win on the ground. And that seems a very difficult task.

Anyway, these are my thoughts and I want to see Vitor vs a top MW soon! This would likely be a great fight.

E

[GROUND CONTROL]

I am a Vitor fan but # 1, I am not convinced. Vitor may have the best hands in the middleweight division but he dosen't have the best stand up. Vitor's standup has no kicking. A guy like Frank would give Vitor trouble on his feet because he is good with knees, elbows, feet and hands. I don't even know if Vitor can throw a thai kick.

As for the ground game he is lucky he is Brazilian. So he won't have to fight any of the elite Brazilian's in that weight class who would expose his bjj skills. Vitor has tapped only one opponent in NHB, "Judo" Joe Charles. His ground and pound style is no different than the wrestlers who are fighting. I find it amusing that Kerr and Coleman get criticized for this style and Vitor is praised for it.

Tito is a perfect opponent. Very good takedowns, good submissions, and good standup. He can't punch with Vitor but he can take him down and make Vitor fight from the bottom. Vitor needs to show me he can win when he is in a war. He has yet to do this. Two times the fight didn't go his way early he wound up losing.(Couture and Sak) When he is in a true fight that dosen't end with his initial flurry or he put on his back and made to fight from the bottom then we will see how good he really is.

I like Vitor. He is a great talent. He is in the top 5 or so middleweights. But he has got to beat one of the other top guys (Frank, Sak, Tito, Renzo, Goes, Busta)to get the respect he wants. I know he can't fight the Brazilians but he can fight the other three.

[Eazy-E]

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!!

E

[GROUND CONTROL]

I agree. Vitor is fighting much smarter now. He isn't going in and just looking for the fast KO. He has definately improved.

I know he whipped Silva's ass but if they fought 10 times that would happen once or twice. Silva is much tougher than that. I am not saying he could beat Vitor but the fight would be a war. Vitor just caught him early and finished him fast. Not likely to happen again but he was the better man that night.

[BIG BIRD]

If Vitor never wins another fight he will still be #1 in my book. Look at that broad he is banging. Damn is she beautiful. heres a link to check her out www2.uol.com.br/playboy/revista/edicao1299/flash_feticeira/joana2.html. Tell me he isnt one lucky man.

[GROUND CONTROL]

Big Bird I totally agree, that lady is f'ing awesome.

[Ronin]

Ehhhhhh...I've had better.

[GROUND CONTROL]

Big Bird edit your post and put a space between the html and the period. Your link doesn't work.

[Bad Karma]

OK, OK! She looks good, but...

What's the word on Top Team? They getting a web site together or is there someone who has up to date information on their development and planned events? I thinking we'll be hearing much more about this group in the very near future. Bust-a-move and Sperry are an awesome combination. Their fighting styles/strategies compliment one another. Sperry a bit more aggressive and Bust-a-move a bit more patient. Good stuff, people!

Peace

[Eazy-E]

Sheeeet!

The PRIDE people arent renewing VITOR's contract. That will make it hard for him to prove he can be number one.

This type of PRIDE business decision is understandable, but certainly doesnt help the NHB sport.

Not only do you have to be good, but you have to be entertaining.

This is rather depressing.

E

[Ronin]

What are they thinking?

Vitor is ALWAYS going to be a KO threat everytime he steps into the ring. Look at the Silva fight, which was expected to be a WAR. Vitor took him out.

Trading shots with Yvel would have been madness. Vitor's strategy impressed me. I guess they thought he should have taken out Matsui, but the guy has pretty good defense. Didn't he hold off Igor and Silva as well?

At least give Vitor a rematch with Sak before you boot him out completely. Yeesh! And I'm not even a big fan of Vitor...

[Newbie]

He should definitely get a rematch against Sakuraba.