Michael Bisping claims Vitor Belfort is "in for a shock" when the two middleweights clash on January 19.
"The Count" confident ahead of Sao Paulo showdown
Michael Bisping claims Vitor Belfort is "in for a shock" when the two middleweights clash at UFC on Fox 7 on January 19.
Last seen in the Octagon at UFC 152 when he claimed a unanimous decision victory over Brian Stann, Bisping is confident that he can conquer "The Phenom" in his home country of Brazil.
Belfort, who was last in action at the same event in a losing effort against UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones, is a 17-year veteran of mixed martial arts, and will present one of the sterner challenges of Bisping's career to date.
Having competed at middleweight for nearly five years, Manchester-born Bisping is yet to receive an opportunity for the UFC Middleweight championship, and "The Count" will be hoping that victory in Sao Paulo can propel him into title contention.
With Belfort also looking to state his case for a title opportunity, Bisping claims to be feeling on top of his game as the two prepare for action at the Ibirapuera Arena.
"I've trained so hard for this fight," Bisping said. "I feel stronger and more prepared than ever before.
"I've been working with a lot of talented guys in the run up to this fight, and every area of my game has improved. My boxing is sharper than it ever has been.
"I'm going into this fight confident. I think Vitor has underestimated me but he's in for a big shock on January 19."
Elsewhere on the card, Daniel Sarafian will make his UFC debut against fellow middleweight C.B. Dollaway, while heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga returns to action for the first time in a year against Ben Rothwell.
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