Chael Sonnen: “I Don’t Think Vitor Belfort is Better Now; He’s Just Got a Different Haircut”

There haven’t been many fighters that have been contenders in two divisions. It’s even more rare to be a contender in two divisions at the same time, but that’s what Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort have been for most of their storied careers.

The two will rematch on Nov. 9 in the main event of UFC Fight Night 32 in Goiania, Brazil. They first met at Pride 32 in 2006 with Henderson winning a clear-cut unanimous decision. UFC contender and Fox Sports analyst Chael Sonnen believes only one has improved since that Pride event in Las Vegas seven years ago.

“I think Vitor has always been good. And I just got done training with Dan Henderson and the last time I worked out with Dan Henderson is before the first time he fought Vitor. And he whipped Vitor. He dominated him. They went out and fought hard, but Dan dominated that fight,” said Sonnen during a recent question and answer session in Manchester, England.

“I can tell you Dan is better now than he was then. I don’t think Vitor is better. I think Vitor was very good back then, but I don’t think he’s better now. I think he’s just got a different haircut,” he added.

Sonnen faces former light heavyweight titleholder Rashad Evans at UFC 167 on Nov. 16. He’ll then coach The Ultimate Fighter Brazil opposite Wanderlei Silva and the two will fight at the conclusion of the show. After that, he has his sights set on Belfort.

“I’ve been trying to fight Vitor for a long time now. And I think Vitor is awesome. I think Vitor is probably the second scariest guy in the UFC right now, right under Jon Jones,” said Sonnen. “But I think he’s beatable. I think I can beat him. And I really don’t care either way. I’m going to go punch him in the face repeatedly.”