Dutch Dynamite
27-04-2005, 21:48
Belfort Interview Explains Poor Performance
When Vitor Belfort Faught Alistair Overeem, In the opening round of this years Pride GP this past Saturday, It was in many fans eyes a make or break fight for the Brazilian. But the bout was far from Belfort's biggest Challange. The popular 28-year-old Brazilian has been fighting under the type of personal duress even Mike Tyson could not imagine. Belfort's 29-year-old sister, Priscilla, was kidnapped in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Jan. 8 of last year. After being dropped off at work by her mother, Priscilla was last seen by a custodian at her workplace as she left for lunch.
Belfort sat in a hotel room after the fight, Trying to figure out what is next for him, I was able to sit down with him after the fight and find out what his future plans are, how the search for his sister has been and how becoming a father has affected his life.
RVJ - Thanks for taking the time to speak with us
Vitor - "Anytime."
RVJ - How does it feel being a dad.
Vitor - "Man, its the best thing that has happend to me, I love my son so much, he's my life, I just love it."
RVJ - How is your son and wife doing
Vitor - "There both doing real good, I miss them both so much, I cant wait to get back home."
RVJ - I dont want to get into this, but you know the fans want to know, you have stated many times that its hard for you to train with your sister on your mind, How did your training go for this event, did you do anything different then all your other fights.
Vitor - "I was unable to do much besides train and think of my sister, she is my life, I tryed my hardest to put everything into my preparation for this fight, but its hard when you get random phone calls that your sister has been found, or that someone knows where she is, I have to deal with these things everyday, how am I suppose to come into a fight 100% with all this going on."
RVJ - What do you miss most about your sister
As he describes her, he begins to choke up again
Vitor - "She was so, so, so lovely, so friendly, such a good sister, She's a good woman. She's great, just like an angel. I realizes that as each day passes, it is less likely she will be found. But I try not to think of what may have happened, and just remember the joy she brought to my life and others".
RVJ - What has your family said, what is there take on this, do they want you to keep fighting. I know its been a while since she was last seen,But you are so grief stricken, you let your emotions open, you are a deeply religious man, when is it time to go. Your sister has an obvious affect on yourself, maybe it is time to worry about everyone else, and move on from fighting.
Vitor - "I draw upon Gods faith to help him get through each day. I'm the one who supports my whole family and we're not a rich family, they rely on me. If I didn't come here to fight, I wouldn't get paid. I probably wouldn't get this chance again. Everyone told me, Vitor, you have to go and take care of your business. Let the police and the professionals here do their work. I understand that, but it's not easy."
RVJ - How ready were you for the fight.
Vitor - "Maybe 50%, I considered pulling out of the bout, but me not fighting means no money for my family. It was emotional for me as I got ready to fight Saturday, Thats how it has been for every fight since she has been takin from me. For me to be 150% ready for my fights, I have to forget about my sister, or I need to know where she is, dead or alive I just need to know because I dont know how much more of this I can take. I Cant erase the thought of Priscilla from his mind."
RVJ - So we can count on Vitor Belfort Fighting again.
Vitor - "Oh ya, Im not for sure when. I have a lot of things that are going on in my life right now, and dont plan on seeing me fight untill I get everything back in place. I believe in God, I pray to him to give me the strength to do this and I know He will. Sometimes you are tested, and this is one of those times for me.The devil wants to destroy my life. He wants me to be depressed and give up on my career, This is what he wants. I'm not a happy man. I want nothing more than to hug my sister and be able to tell her I love her. But I'm not going to let the devil win, When I come back to fight I will be 150% ready,I dont like letting all my fans down, like I know I did here at the GP, But I will be back. It might be in a couple months or maybe a year from now, I dont know, but when I do return its going to be a Vitor that is ready."
RVJ - Once again Vitor, Thank you for your time and good luck with everything.
Vitor - "Anytime Chris, thanks"
When Vitor Belfort Faught Alistair Overeem, In the opening round of this years Pride GP this past Saturday, It was in many fans eyes a make or break fight for the Brazilian. But the bout was far from Belfort's biggest Challange. The popular 28-year-old Brazilian has been fighting under the type of personal duress even Mike Tyson could not imagine. Belfort's 29-year-old sister, Priscilla, was kidnapped in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Jan. 8 of last year. After being dropped off at work by her mother, Priscilla was last seen by a custodian at her workplace as she left for lunch.
Belfort sat in a hotel room after the fight, Trying to figure out what is next for him, I was able to sit down with him after the fight and find out what his future plans are, how the search for his sister has been and how becoming a father has affected his life.
RVJ - Thanks for taking the time to speak with us
Vitor - "Anytime."
RVJ - How does it feel being a dad.
Vitor - "Man, its the best thing that has happend to me, I love my son so much, he's my life, I just love it."
RVJ - How is your son and wife doing
Vitor - "There both doing real good, I miss them both so much, I cant wait to get back home."
RVJ - I dont want to get into this, but you know the fans want to know, you have stated many times that its hard for you to train with your sister on your mind, How did your training go for this event, did you do anything different then all your other fights.
Vitor - "I was unable to do much besides train and think of my sister, she is my life, I tryed my hardest to put everything into my preparation for this fight, but its hard when you get random phone calls that your sister has been found, or that someone knows where she is, I have to deal with these things everyday, how am I suppose to come into a fight 100% with all this going on."
RVJ - What do you miss most about your sister
As he describes her, he begins to choke up again
Vitor - "She was so, so, so lovely, so friendly, such a good sister, She's a good woman. She's great, just like an angel. I realizes that as each day passes, it is less likely she will be found. But I try not to think of what may have happened, and just remember the joy she brought to my life and others".
RVJ - What has your family said, what is there take on this, do they want you to keep fighting. I know its been a while since she was last seen,But you are so grief stricken, you let your emotions open, you are a deeply religious man, when is it time to go. Your sister has an obvious affect on yourself, maybe it is time to worry about everyone else, and move on from fighting.
Vitor - "I draw upon Gods faith to help him get through each day. I'm the one who supports my whole family and we're not a rich family, they rely on me. If I didn't come here to fight, I wouldn't get paid. I probably wouldn't get this chance again. Everyone told me, Vitor, you have to go and take care of your business. Let the police and the professionals here do their work. I understand that, but it's not easy."
RVJ - How ready were you for the fight.
Vitor - "Maybe 50%, I considered pulling out of the bout, but me not fighting means no money for my family. It was emotional for me as I got ready to fight Saturday, Thats how it has been for every fight since she has been takin from me. For me to be 150% ready for my fights, I have to forget about my sister, or I need to know where she is, dead or alive I just need to know because I dont know how much more of this I can take. I Cant erase the thought of Priscilla from his mind."
RVJ - So we can count on Vitor Belfort Fighting again.
Vitor - "Oh ya, Im not for sure when. I have a lot of things that are going on in my life right now, and dont plan on seeing me fight untill I get everything back in place. I believe in God, I pray to him to give me the strength to do this and I know He will. Sometimes you are tested, and this is one of those times for me.The devil wants to destroy my life. He wants me to be depressed and give up on my career, This is what he wants. I'm not a happy man. I want nothing more than to hug my sister and be able to tell her I love her. But I'm not going to let the devil win, When I come back to fight I will be 150% ready,I dont like letting all my fans down, like I know I did here at the GP, But I will be back. It might be in a couple months or maybe a year from now, I dont know, but when I do return its going to be a Vitor that is ready."
RVJ - Once again Vitor, Thank you for your time and good luck with everything.
Vitor - "Anytime Chris, thanks"