Vitor Belfort weighs in during the UFC on FX official weigh-in event on January 18, 2013 at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Vitor Belfort defeated Michael Bisping, landing a headkick that led to a technical knockout in the second round of their main event at UFC on FX 7 in Sao Paolo, Brazil on Saturday night.
Belfort, competing in his home country, finished his British opponent and quickly made a statement about who he feels deserves the next shot at a championship belt, aiming his rant at Ultimate Fighter 17 coach Chael Sonnen.
“I want to get the belt,” Belfort said in his post-fight interview. “Take that punk Chael Sonnen out … Dana, Lorenzo, take him out! Let me fight Jon Jones. I need that rematch.
“Take that clown away! Go home!”
Belfort and Bisping measured each other early on, setting a conservative pace in the early parts of the fight. It wasn’t until late in the first round that Belfort landed a headkick and followed that up with a flurry of punches. The round ended with Belfort ahead on points.
With a bloody nose, Bisping received another headkick from Belfort in the second round, which led to the TKO finish at 1:27.
Sonnen, covering the fight as an analyst for Fuel TV, responded to Belfort’s remarks, saying that he would be happy to fight him once he gets passed his fight with light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in April.
“First I’m going to get rid of Jon Jones, but you are next,” Sonnen said on the Fuel TV post-fight show, directing his comments at Beflort. “People would rather watch me talk about Vitor fighting than watch Vitor fighting.”
In defeat, Bisping loses his third fight in which a win would have earned him a shot at a middleweight title fight. He was, however, gracious in defeat and touted his opponent for his performance.
“Congratulations to Vitor,” Bisping said following the loss. “I’ve got no excuses.”
Belfort improves his overall record to 22-10, while Bisping drops his tally to 23-5.
(L-R) Opponents Daniel Sarafian and C.B. Dolloway face off during the UFC on FX official weigh-in event on January 18, 2013 at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
C.B. Dollaway edged out a debuting Daniel Sarafian in the co-main event at UFC on FX 7, earning a split decision.
Judges found the fight in Dollaway’s favor with scores of 29-28, 28-29, 29-28.
“Daniel was a lot tougher than I anticipated,” Dollaway said following the win. “Hats off to him.”
Sarafian moved very well in the early stages of the fight, throwing and landing overhand rights that backed up his opponent. The former TUF: Brazil contestant also threw flurries with furious punches that found their marks.
Sarafian continued his pace, but slowed down in the second round. Dollaway capitalized on this opportunity, rocking his opponent with a strike late in the second frame.
In the third round, both fighters looked winded, but it was Dollaway that persevered and impressed two out of the three judges for the decision.
With the win, Dollaway improves to 14-4, while Sarafian loses his UFC debut, dropping his record to 7-3.
Gabriel Gonzaga submitted Ben Rothwell in their main card fight at UFC on FX 7, finishing the heavyweight contest with a guillotine in the second round.
Gonzaga landed two right crosses that wobbled Rothwell. The Brazilian swarmed in and attempted to complete a standing guillotine, but found more success when he pulled guard.
Once on the ground, Rothwell had no choice but to tap, bringing the fight to a finish at 1:01 of the round.
Khabib Nurmagomedov made quick work of Thiago Tavares in the evening’s opening main card fight, earning the technical knockout in the first round.
The Russian landed a precise uppercut, dropping his Brazilian counterpart before landing consecutive elbows on the ground to earn the TKO. The fight was stopped at 1:55.
The results for the preliminary fights are as follows:
- Godofredo Pepey Castro def. Milton Vieira by split decision (28-29, 29-28,29-28)
- Ronny Markes def. Andrew Craig via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Nik Lentz def. Diego Nunes by unanimous decision (30-28, 30-27, 30-26)
- Edson Barboza def. Lucas Martins by submission (tapout to strikes) at 2:38, Round 1
- Yuri Alcantara vs. Pedro Nobre called a no-contest due to accidental strikes to back of head by Alcantara
- Ildemar Alcantara def. Wagner Prado by sub (kneebar) at 2:39, Round 2
- Francisco Trinaldo def. C.J. Keith via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:50, Round 2
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