The UFC 181 card scheduled for December 6th in Las Vegas, Nevada will be headlined by the Middleweight title bout between Champion Chris Weidman and challenger Vitor Belfort. The line opened at some of the books with Weidman a wide (-380) favorite over Belfort, who returns at (+315).
For Weidman, the line is a sign that at 12-0 and coming off a successful title defense over top contender Lyoto Machida he is finally beginning to get some respect. Weidman came to the UFC 4-0, a new breed type of fighter with a level already too high for the smaller, he went to the UFC early in his career. He promptly went 3-0 in the UFC, which led to a leap up in competition. He beat Demian Maia and Mark Munoz, two very solid wins.
This earned him a title shot against legendary champion Anderson Silva, and he walked out of that match with the belt. Silva warranted an immediate re-match, and the now ex-champ was seen to be more serious entering this fight, while with the first fight he did not take Weidman seriously.
Well, after dismantling former Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida in his last outing, Weidman is now past the questions and into being a formidable champion.
Belfort has always been controversial throughout his long career, and this title shot certainly will carry the gravitas in Belfort’s own head that this is his last shot at a title. As for a legacy, Belfort will have had a UFC Heavyweight tournament title to his credit as well as title reigns in two separate weight classes. It is safe to say that Belfort will see it that way and be very motivated.
But Belfort has put a lot of pressure on himself as well. He is his own worst enemy, and his support of TRT use almost cost him his job earlier in the year. But with Wanderlei Silva unraveling, and Chael Sonnen imploding, Belfort’s transgressions seem forgotten as he was issued a license and given a title fight.
Belfort will be subject to immeasurable scrutiny heading into this fight, both from the commission who should be doggedly following his every intake, and the press, who can be unrelenting in their own way. The odds are saying Belfort cracks under the pressure, after all he usually does.
