Karate Coach Touts Belfort’s Improved Speed

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Vitor Belfort has always been revered -- and feared -- for his blinding speed and the devastating power that accompanies it. To hear one of his trainers tell it, the Brazilian has only grown faster since he took out former middleweight titleholder Rich Franklin in the Octagon 16 months ago.

“Before arriving, I was a little bit anxious about whether or not we could do a good job in such a short time,” said South American karate champion Jayme Sandall, who has spent the past few weeks honing Belfort’s skills. “But as I always say, Vitor is a phenomenon and gets everything so fast. He’s already moving a different way in the ring; his muscle explosion is at its peak. He’s even faster than he was when he was training to face Franklin.”

Belfort has posted five consecutive victories -- the longest such streak of his distinguished career. However, he has not competed since he wiped out Franklin in the first round of their UFC 103 main event more than a year ago at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. In fact, the Brazilian has seen only 3:39 of actual ring time since July 2008. In an attempt to stay sharp, Belfort has surrounded himself with an all-star team of trainers and coaches: Sandall, Jake Bonacci, Neil Melanson, Cezar Mutante, Rodrigo Artilheiro, Gil Martinez and Ray Sefo.

“We’re training really hard for this fight -- twice a day, six times a week, Monday through Saturday,” Sandall said. “Vitor is working daily with a very good team of trainers.”

One of the most durable fighters Silva will have ever faced, Belfort has been finished only three times -- twice by UFC hall of famer Randy Couture and once by reigning Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem. A shoulder injury and subsequent surgery postponed his first scheduled encounter with “The Spider” at UFC 112 in April, but Sandall laughed off Internet rumors that Belfort was not physically sound.

“We have no idea who invented such a crazy rumor,” Sandall said. “Belfort is perfect physically.”

Sandall seemed thrilled with the progress he and Belfort have made in a short period of time. When asked how the UFC 126 main event would play out, he pointed towards a victory for “The Phenom.” A win over Silva would allow Belfort to join Couture and B.J. Penn as the only men to hold UFC titles in two weight classes.

“A fight is a fight,” Sandall said. “Anderson is also an amazing athlete who deserves respect, but I can say that I believe 100 percent in a win for Belfort. Now, we just have to wait and see.”