• UFC Rio

Vitor tips 'new Belfort' to conquer UFC in two years

ESPN staff
April 17, 2011
Vitor Belfort is hoping to bounce back from defeat to Anderson Silva © Getty Images
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Vitor Belfort is awaiting an opponent for UFC Rio, but he is convinced he has found MMA's next Brazilian superstar in Cesar 'Mutante'.

Belfort was once the brightest young talent in the sport, winning his first three UFC bouts in a cumulative total of two minutes and 52 seconds.

Now The Phenom is convinced Mutante will rule the UFC middleweight terrain within two years, after he won his international debut in 13 seconds.

"You have no idea [how good this fight was], he got the KO in only 13 seconds… It was beautiful," Belfort told Tatame.

"He's a phenom, a better version of me. I want to see him in the UFC or Strikeforce… Mark my words, he'll be the UFC middleweight champion in two years."

Commenting on his own situation, Belfort said: "Lorenzo [Fertitta] called me and said he's trying to find me an opponent [for UFC Rio], but it's hard to do it. Wanderlei [Silva] challenged me and then started talking on the internet, so I don't know what's gonna happen.

"I'm ready; my dream is to fight at UFC Rio. I believe the fighters found out that I'm hungrier than ever to fight".

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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