Vitor busts on the UFC scene as THE phenom, culminating with him starching Wanderlei in like 10 seconds. Then he goes to Japan with great hype and anticipation in a period of a fighter's career where he really should be developing into his peak. But for pretty much from 1999 to 2007 he becomes a shell of his former self, always gunshy and afraid to pull the trigger. Not only losing fights but just in dreadfully boring fights where hes either not doing anything or trying to win via ground control. he toils as a underachiever this entire period.
Some people say its because of the abduction of his sister but that happened in 2004 I believe, and his career was already slumping before that.
This is really the time where the Old Vitor moniker was born, people wondering where was the guy with the machine gun hands that was just starching folks.
Then he beats Terry Martin in impressive fashion and seemingly his career is rejuvenated. He's still not swarming like the Phenom but he's tactical and aggressive.
But what happened to him between 1999 to 2006? it's one of the greatest mystery of MMA history.
Some people say its because of the abduction of his sister but that happened in 2004 I believe, and his career was already slumping before that.
This is really the time where the Old Vitor moniker was born, people wondering where was the guy with the machine gun hands that was just starching folks.
Then he beats Terry Martin in impressive fashion and seemingly his career is rejuvenated. He's still not swarming like the Phenom but he's tactical and aggressive.
But what happened to him between 1999 to 2006? it's one of the greatest mystery of MMA history.
