Wanderlei Silva vs. Vitor Belfort: Who Needs the Win More?

As they finish up their coaching duties on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, MMA legends Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort will prepare for their rematch at UFC 147 on June 23, 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

It seems like an eternity ago, but yes, these two MMA legends have fought once before.  

The UFC made their return to Brazil last year and was a welcome revisit, marking almost 14 years since October 16, 1998—the date that two young, brilliant, Brazilian fighters met in the Octagon.  

Wanderlei Silva was a rising star who had been tearing up the Brazilian vale tudo scene, and was making his UFC debut.  

Vitor Belfort was already a star in the UFC, having seared his name in the minds of American fans with three blitzkrieg knockouts in 1997 before running into the indomitable Randy Couture.  

Both guys were devastating knockout artists with lightning quick hands.

Vitor's hands were faster that night though, as he starched Wanderlei in only 44 seconds. Belfort overwhelmed Wanderlei with a frenetic attack, moving forward with non-stop punches that connected with Silva's chin like pistons hitting the crankshaft of Dale Earnhardt’s race car.

When it was over, Wanderlei stood there, lost, not knowing what the heck had just happened to him.  

That’s how Vitor is though. He likes to get in quick and engulf his foes with hurt.

Both guys would go on to have successful careers, although one shined much brighter than the other.

Vitor would go on to see some success in Pride before returning to the UFC and capturing the light-heavyweight title on a technicality.

Belfort's glove sliced Randy Couture’s eyeball and the fight was ruled a TKO on a doctor stoppage. That glory, if you can even call it that, would be short lived, however, as Couture would defeat Vitor seven months later to take back the belt.  

For as great as a fighter as Vitor is, his greatest accolade was winning the unheralded Cage Rage middleweight championship.

Belfort's most notable accomplishment though, was earning a title shot against Anderson Silva. Vitor would lose to a perfect front kick that knocked his block off, but Anderson Silva is the most devastating fighter in the history of the sport.

No shame there, except for a man of Vitor’s pride.

Wanderlei would go on to astounding success and fame as the long-time Pride middleweight champion, and the Pride 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix winner.

In fact, from the time he lost to Vitor, Wanderlei would go on a magnificent run of 22 wins, one loss, one draw and one no-contest.  

That’s enough for most guys to make a career on. For Wanderlei, it was just a stretch of six years in a career that has spanned 16.

Wanderlei already had his run. It was a monumental one that established his legend.

Vitor’s legend, however, is based somewhat on perception—Belfort needs this win much more than Wanderlei does.

Wanderlei had his glory. He held a major title for many years and is currently on the decline of a brilliant career.

On the other hand, Vitor has never held a major title, but is on the upswing. His career resurgence really took form when he knocked out Matt Lindland in only 37 seconds under the Affliction banner. He was then brought into the UFC.

Belfort's debut was one of the most successful ever, as he demolished former champion Rich Franklin for a first-round knockout.

For his victory, Vitor was granted a title shot.

Some would argue he got fast-tracked because of his name value—and there’s some validity to that—but he did knock out a former champion in pretty much the same time as it took the current champion.

Nepotism aside, the title shot was earned.

Vitor is still a viable contender. Wanderlei is not.

A look at both guys’ last 10 fights reveals a record of 4-6 for Wanderlei, and a record of 8-2 for Vitor.

Of course, records don’t tell the entire story.

Wanderlei has without question faced stiffer competition throughout this period, but Vitor has shown an ability to compete at the highest level as of late, whereas Wanderlei hasn’t shown much but a weakened chin.

Basically, this upcoming fight is one last gasp for Wanderlei. It’s a well-deserved warrior’s death. He's being sacrificed to the gods of gargantuan pay days because he’s been such a glorious gladiator throughout his career.

Wanderlei has a puncher’s chance—that’s about it.

This fight is about getting Vitor Belfort one step closer to another title shot, and Wanderlei’s name still carries a lot of weight, even at this closing stage of his storied career.