• UFC 126

Silva & Belfort are boiling beneath the surface - Zelaznik

ESPN staff
February 2, 2011

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Marshall Zelaznik claims there is violence seeping out of Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort ahead of their potentially explosive showdown at UFC 126.

There has been little trash talk shared by the Brazilian duo in the build-up to their UFC middleweight title clash, but Zelaznik insists that should not be mistaken as a lack of animosity between the pair.

Brazilian MMA is built on a background of respect, and that is what both men will fight for - more so than the belt - in Las Vegas. Silva is currently recognised as the best, but in Belfort's eyes that is merely because he is yet to face the champion.

Zelaznik recently spent time with both fighters in Abu Dhabi, and he revealed it was a daunting sight to see two of the UFC's biggest names stand toe-to-toe.

"We had Anderson and Vitor out in Abu Dhabi and I have to say they are two of the greatest guys," Zelaznik told ESPN. "When you see them stood next to each other, you appreciate the power they have at their potential, and I can't wait to feel that energy in the Octagon.

"I've seen plenty of Belfort fights, and we've witnessed his hand speed, so the tactics for both men are going to be interesting. Does Anderson look to avoid Belfort's hand speed? Should Belfort try to emulate Chael Sonnen by taking Silva to the mat?

"We saw Sonnen rock Silva with his hands, so could Belfort do an even better job? On the other hand, was Silva fully expecting the Sonnen takedown and that's why he got caught?

"All I can say is that when these guys stared each other down in Abu Dhabi, there was a lot of heat. Sometimes you see two guys go through motions, but Anderson and Vitor really want to test each other."

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