• UFC 136

Belfort eyes heavyweights, mocks Sonnen's style

Vitor Belfort could slip back into the middleweight title picture if Chael Sonnen beats Anderson Silva © Getty Images

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Vitor Belfort has hinted he could move away from the middleweight division, suggesting he could even go as high as heavyweight in order to breathe new life into his career.

Belfort is one of the top five 185-pounders in the UFC, having won six of his last seven fights, including victories over Rich Franklin and Yoshihiro Akiyama under the UFC banner. His one loss came against champion Anderson Silva, in what will probably prove to be the Knockout of the Year.

However, Belfort's defeat to Silva has left him in something of a no-man's land, with few people clamouring to see the Brazilian rematch the champion. Chael Sonnen, Michael Bisping and, until recently, Brian Stann were all considered title contenders, but Belfort's name did not fit the list.

The Phenom began his career as a heavyweight, and is a former UFC light-heavyweight champion after he beat Randy Couture at UFC 46. At 34 years of age Belfort admits it is difficult to keep getting down to 185lbs, hinting he may revisit old territory.

"The weight cut is tough. Right now, I'm 220 pounds," he said according to MMA Mania. "Sometimes I think it would be easier to fight at heavyweight.

"I've got power but also speed. I like to challenge myself, though. Fighting at middleweight is a challenge."

One man Belfort does seem destined to fight in the future is Sonnen, who booked a title collision with Silva by beating Stann at UFC 136. Sonnen and Belfort have both had things to say about each other, and certainly a victory for Sonnen over Silva would give new life to Belfort's own title chances in 2012.

"Chael is an exciting fighter when talking but inside the Octagon, all he knows what to do is wrestle," Belfort recently commented. "His ground and pound isn't vicious. But he has a will, a drive and never stops coming forward."

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