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UFC Middleweight Alan 'The Talent' Belcher wants Anderson Silva
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Alan “The Talent” Belcher is one of the most exciting and controversial young stars in the UFC. With some highlight-reel finishes on his resume, his fan base is growing rapidly. He recently fought at UFC 100, suffering a razor-thin split-decision loss to Japanese import Yoshihiro Akiyama in a match that won Fight of the Night honors, which earned both combatants a $100,000 bonus. But as most fighters will tell you, “The Talent” is not satisfied with being an exciting fighter. He wants to earn a shot at the belt, and all the glory that goes along with it. I spoke with him recently about where he’s at in his career, and where he’s looking to go.
Phil Lanides: You’re coming off a tough fight with Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 100. First off, how are you feeling physically?
Alan Belcher: I feel great physically. After the fight, I came right back to the gym and started training. I didn’t have anything wrong with me, just the regular soreness. A few bumps and bruises from training camp, and I got a few blisters, so no running, but I’m back to training now.
PL: What are your thoughts on the fight?
AB: It is what it is. It was a close fight. I felt like I won the first and third rounds, and the second round was my fault. I wasted a lot of time on the ground, trying to work my guard. First and third rounds, he never really hurt me. I can see how the judges thought he was hitting me hard, but I was never hurt. The takedowns he landed helped him, I’m sure. But the judges were inexperienced, in my opinion. He was trying to take me to the ground, but I was controlling the fight, even from my back. It all depends on what the judges are looking for. I felt like I won it, but I let it go to the judge’s hands, and that’s my fault. Just a good lesson to learn from.
PL: Some exciting fighters with uneven records, such as Jason McDonald, have been cut recently from the UFC roster. Are you worried about that?
AB: I don’t think so. The UFC would be stupid to cut me. My fan base doubles and triples every time I fight, and I’m one of the most exciting fighters out there. I’m at the top of the division, and so is Akiyama. He didn’t come in to the fight in the greatest of shape, and I think next time he will. He may drop down, and I’m sure he’ll do well there, too, if he does. But there are a lot of opportunities for me if the UFC does cut me: pro boxing, K-1, Muay Thai, etc. I’m not worried about it.
PL: What’s next for you?
AB: Don’t have anything right now. My wife is pregnant, due in January, so I asked [UFC matchmaker] Joe [Silva] to get me a fight before then. I think I deserve to be on the main card, and I want to fight the top guys, the best guys. I’ve worked hard, taken fights on short notice before, and the losses I’ve suffered have been at my expense. I was very close to three wins in a row, and I’m bound and determined to get a streak going again. It’s time for the UFC to promote Alan Belcher, really put their marketing muscle behind me.
PL: What are you looking to add to your game in the immediate future?
AB: Just have more confidence in my takedowns and jiu-jitsu. I have confidence on my back, and I feel like I can submit people from there. [During the UFC 100 fight], my corner was screaming at me to stand up, and I felt like I could have finished Akiyama from my back if they hadn’t. I don’t want to be the type of fighter that takes a guy down and lays on him to get a decision, like GSP. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win, though. Hey, you may even see some takedowns from me in my next fight.
PL: Is there anybody specifically that you want to fight?
AB: I want to fight Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort. They are a couple of the only legends that are still active and relevant, and I grew up watching them. I looked up to them. Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson are close to being in that “legend” category, too. But whoever it is, I want a fight that will go down in the history books. I want to fight any one of those four at any weight, be it 185, 195, or 205. I want to fight top contenders, of course, but I’m coming off a loss, and I need to build myself up again. But anybody that will give me a big payday, or get me on a poster…I want to fight them.
PL: What is your dream fight?
AB: That’s a tough question for me to answer. It’s got to be Anderson Silva. To be in a different situation, get on a run, and deserve a title fight against Anderson Silva. Not only to get the belt, but take his spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. I expect to win a belt within the next five years, and I want to go down in history as one of the greatest fighters and champions of all time.
PL: What is your favorite way to finish an opponent?
AB: By KO. Taking it to him, knocking him out...that’s the best way. I haven’t been able to do that in awhile, so I need to turn it up a bit and start finishing my opponents. KO’s leave a big impression on fans and your next opponent. It makes him fear you.
PL: Let’s play word association. I’m going to say a name, and you say the first thing that comes to mind.
- - Akiyama: Pretty boy
- - Denis Kang: Chokes under pressure
- - Brock Lesnar: Beast
- - Dana White: Dictator
- - StrikeForce: Good, but not great
- - Anderson Silva: The Roy Jones of MMA
- - Dan Henderson: Hard-working country boy
- - Nate Marquardt: Athletic scientist
- - Demian Maia: Jiu-jitsu phenom
- - Alan Belcher: Stylish and hopeful
Thanks to Sherdog.com for the use of the Alan Belcher photo
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