Fight Details: 185 lbs. Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort (18-8) vs. Jorge Santiago (21-7)
Fight Odds: (-210 Belfort / +170 Santiago) at Sportsbook.com
Prediction: I see Santiago halting Belfort’s recent streak by controlling this fight on the ground en route to a unanimous decision.
In a featured Middleweight showdown, Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort will look to continue his Cinderella story comeback against tough veteran Jorge Santiago.
Belfort was once one of the top fighters in the world, but personal tragedy in the form of a kidnapped sister damaged and almost ended his fight career. Recently, though, he has shown some of his old brilliance, blasting the likes of Terry Martin and Matt Lindland in brutal fashion. To keep his momentum, though, he will have to go through Santiago, a skilled veteran with very dangerous grappling.
Santiago, who trains at the well-respected American Top Team camp in Coconut Creek, FL, is currently riding a nine fight win streak after an abortive stint in UFC, includings wins over skilled opponents like Kazuhiro Nakamura, Jeremy Horn, Yuki Sasaki, and Kazuo Misaki. Primarily a grappler, Santiago can give anyone fits on the ground, but his standup is actually fairly solid as well. That said, if he tries to stand and trade with Belfort, he will get his head imploded.
Belfort, while probably more well-rounded than Santiago, is not a match for him on the ground. Standing, however, “The Phenom” outclasses Santiago by miles in terms of handspeed, power, and technique. At one point, Belfort’s wrestling was quite competitive, but it has been years since he has showcased it at all, so you have to assume that Santiago will be able to control him on the ground. Essentially, this fight comes down to who can strike first. In that regard, Belfort has the advantage. To win, Santiago will have to not only take Belfort down, but either control him or submit him. Belfort, on the other hand, requires only one solid connection to put his opponent away in theory.
Even so, I think Santiago has the tools to take this one. For one thing, he has fought better competition much more consistently than Belfort over recent years. For another, training at American Top Team gives him vastly superior training partners to Belfort.
I see Santiago halting Belfort’s recent streak by controlling this fight on the ground en route to a unanimous decision.
