Belfort last hurdle in Bisping’s path

A win over Vitor Belfort tonight in Sao Paulo finally would get Michael Bisping the elusive middleweight title shot he seemingly has been on the verge of since dropping to 185 pounds in 2008.

The same stakes don't seem to apply to Belfort, who has had title fights in two weight classes in the past two years. Ultimate Fighting Championship officials have said Belfort is not likely to get the next shot at Anderson Silva's belt even with a win over Bisping in the main event of UFC on FX 7.

"I don't care," Belfort said. "I don't even pay attention to it. I just know he has to fight me to get what he wants, and then we'll see. I think it's a great time for me, and I'm really looking forward to winning a title again, and that's what I'm working toward."

Belfort was briefly the light heavyweight champion in 2004. He was knocked out by Silva in a 2011 middleweight title bout and is coming off a one-sided loss to Jon Jones in a light heavyweight title fight in September.

Belfort, 35, did have a glimmer of a chance to beat Jones, however, when he locked in an armbar late in the first round. The maneuver damaged the champion's arm, but Belfort couldn't secure the win.

He says he didn't spend much time thinking about what could have been had Jones tapped out.

"The thing about the past is that it's over," Belfort said. "You just have to learn from your mistakes and try not to make them again in the future, not to cry and relive it over and over. I've moved on. My kitchen's clean, and I'm ready to cook."

Bisping would love to have had just one shot at a title. Despite an accomplished career, the 33-year-old Brit never has gotten over the final hurdle. Two of his three losses at middleweight - to Dan Henderson and Chael Sonnen - have come in what were essentially fights to determine the next challenger to the belt.

Bisping is determined not to let that happen again.

"I've been in No. 1 contender fights before and lost, but they were some of the best fighters in the world, and there's no shame in that," he said. "I certainly believe things happen for a reason. I'm a better fighter now. Maybe if I had won those fights and fought for the title then, I probably would have lost. Now, I won't. I'll win. I plan on winning Saturday night, and I plan on taking the belt from Anderson later this year."

To do so, he will have to win in Belfort's home nation. Brazil has developed into the most thriving UFC market outside of North America, and the sold-out crowds tend to get loud and rowdy.

They also are decidedly nationalistic.

Bisping downplayed the relevance of the crowd, and the polarizing fighter has dealt with fans being against him for much of his career. He also pointed out he has had several fan interactions since arriving in Sao Paulo with Brazilians who don't like his opponent.

Belfort also attempted to diminish how much of a factor the crowd will be in the fight.

"It doesn't matter if you are in the pit with a lion or in the sea with a shark, if you're well-prepared and you're ready, nothing matters," he said. "Of course, I will enjoy the crowd, but when we're locked in the cage it's going to just be me and Michael.

"I have 25 minutes to enjoy all the training I did. On Saturday, I'm going to be drinking the wine of all the grapes I crushed."

The bout headlines a card that will air live on FX (Cable 24) at 6 p.m. A middleweight bout between C.B. Dollaway and Daniel Sarafian and a heavyweight fight pitting Ben Rothwell and Gabriel Gonzaga also are scheduled.

The six-fight preliminary card will air live on Fuel TV (Cable 319) at 3 p.m.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.