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June 3, 2006....Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort, will attempt to even the score with rival, Alistair "The Demolition" Man Overeem, during the main event of the 10-bout Strikeforce "Revenge" card at San Jose, California's HP Pavilion on Friday.

Last April, Belfort and Overeem battled for 9 minutes and 36 seconds at Pride's "Total Elimination 2005" all-star card in Japan before Overeem submitted the Brazilian knockout artist with a choke.

Here's what Belfort had to say from his home in Brazil, six days before the rematch:

Q: How do you feel mentally and physically going into this fight with Alistair?

A: I feel perfect. It's gonna be wonderful, man. He's a great fighter. I'm gonna have a chance to fight him again so it's wonderful.

Q: What do you feel were your mistakes in the first fight?

A: He fought good, man. I don't like to give excuse, but I wasn't there. It was his day. He deserved it. He had his chance. Now, it's another day, another time, so it's gonna be different.

Q: What will be different in terms of your approach to this fight?

A: It's different. It's gonna be 9 of June in 2006. The other fight was in 2005 in February. The day, year, and month are different. It's a different time. I'm ready. I'm prepared.

Q: You recently made a successful debut in the sport of professional boxing. What kind of plans have you made for yourself as far as a career in pro boxing?

A: My trainer has trained several world champions so we think I have talent to develop. So, when I come back from this fight we're gonna fight professional boxing again and I'm looking forward. It's a lot of fun. The sport's very mature and I think I can do well.

Q: You've always been distinguished in the sport of mixed martial arts for your strong punching skills. What would you attribute your skill level to?

A: I think my skills come from my talent in that and I improve it and I take advantage of the talent. I'm very humble. I know I'm not the greatest. I just try to improve my skills, put on a good show, and make it a good business by entertaining the people.

Q: A lot of people recognize you for helping make striking relevant again in mixed martial arts during the jiu-jitsu craze that was initially ushered in by the Gracie family. What do you feel your place is in the history of the sport as far this goes?

A: Yea, I see it. I'm very honored and very thankful for the opportunity that God gave me and when I see these new fighters coming up with a lot of skills and punishing striking, I get happy because I was one of the pioneers. I'm a spectator of the sport too, so it gives me a lot of happiness because I see the fighters getting better and the sport getting bigger in the States. I knew it was just a matter of time for the sport and for the promoters. I think it's important for the fighters to be good not just in the ring, but to be good outside of the ring - to be a good person outside of the ring.

Q: What do you feel is left for you to accomplish in mixed martial arts?

A: Right now, I think I just have to do my best. I feel proud to fight. To be able to use my skills that I train every day is a privilege and, actually, right now, I have a book coming out called "My Life." It tells the whole life of Vitor. Every person in the arena, starting with this event on Friday, I'm gonna give - its not the whole book, its just a part of the book. I'm gonna bring 20,000 little books to this event and give to each one of the spectators.

Every fight that I fight starting with this one - if they have 5,000 seats, I'm gonna bring 5,000 little books. If they have 100,000 people, I'm gonna bring 100,000 little books so I can share just a little bit of my experience - not just my experience, but the reality of my life - with my fans. I think this is gonna be the greatest opportunity for me to share what I accomplished and what mixed martial arts did for my life. So, I'm gonna give free samples for everyone with my signature as a gift.

Q: That's very generous of you.

A: This is the least I can do for my fans after all the support they've given me all these years. I'm very glad to see this happen.

Q: So, in closing, what can we expect to see from Vitor Belfort on Friday?

A: They're gonna see a great show. I'm gonna do my best. I thank God for giving me the strength to do it again and have the chance to fight at this event. I'm just free and happy. ( tnx to tuco )

Zadnjič urejal TheBorg (07.06.2006 10:00:33)