Belfort joins ‘Blackzilians’ in advance of UFC 152
The fight also marks a change in training scenery for Belfort. The ex-UFC champ and 16-year MMA veteran recently joined…
The fight also marks a change in training scenery for Belfort. The ex-UFC champ and 16-year MMA veteran recently joined up with the ‘Blackzilians’ at JACO Hybrid Training Center in Boca Raton, Fla., after striking up a friendship with fellow ex-champ Rashad Evans.
Evans, of course, took Jones to a decision at UFC 145, though he was unsuccessful in taking the belt from the 25-year-old champ.
“I have the best people around me,” Belfort said. “I’d been talking to Rashad in the back (of UFC events) for so long. I was talking with him and (manager) Glenn (Robinson), and then I fought (Blackzilians member) Anthony Johnson. I didn’t want to just go there.
“I see a lot of great guys on the team. I want to learn from the best. If you want to be a lion, you have to train with the lions.”
Belfort looks at Jones as just such a lion, but is confident that he has the skills to win the belt.
“How could I not be joyful to fight the best guy at the moment?” Belfort said. “Everybody from my time retired, and nobody would have that opportunity.”