Vitor Belfort Says Wanderlei Silva 'Needs To Learn To Talk Less and Fight More'

Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort wasn't too thrilled about Wanderlei Silva campaigning for a fight with Chris Leben.

He recently sat down in an exclusive interview with TATAME to talk about Silva and the possibility of being apart of the UFC's return to Brazil.

"The tongue is a man's whip, and he needs to learn to talk less and fight more," Belfort said. "But, what can I do? That's life, bro. I don't care about it. I'm focused for the next challenge. I don't care about names. I don't pick my opponents, and I always focus 100 percent on my next fight, independently of who I'll fight with."

In a phone conversation with TATAME, Silva challenged Belfort to a long-awaited rematch of their October 1998 bout in UFC Ultimate Brazil, where it took Belfort only 44 seconds to dispatch of the MMA legend.

"And now, where are you running to? I'd give him the No. 1 [on the line to fight me] easily. I'm challenging him. I want him," Silva said.

Belfort accepted the challenge, and many hoped the bout would make the upcoming UFC Rio card in August. Unfortunately, things began to go south when Silva took to Twitter and acknowledged his desire to face TUF alumni Chris Leben.

In the end, the UFC decided to go with the Silva-Leben bout instead of a rematch with Belfort.

"I don't build up my expectations on men. I hope things come through God, and that's just my life," Belfort said. "I'm the kind of guy who likes to do what I say. I don't like saying and don't keep up with it."

Since suffering a devastating KO loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 126, Belfort has returned to training, and he hopes to get the opportunity to make his return in front of his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at UFC 134.

"That's everything I want. That's the dream, to fight in Rio de Janeiro, in my country. Fighting for my people has always been my dream," Belfort said. "Since I was one of the first in the sport in Brazil, it's kind of a reward for me and everything I've done."

Belfort is one of the most deserving individuals on the UFC roster, and he could still get his chance to perform in front of his home crowd. There are a plethora of Brazilians seeking a spot on this eagerly anticipated card, including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Royce Gracie, and Mauricio Rua.

Back in the gym and training, all Belfort needs now is an opponent.

"I'm still waiting. They've offered me Wanderlei, and I accepted it, but it seems that he didn't want to fight me after all, so I'm waiting now for an opponent," Belfort said.

(SportsHaze.com)

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