LAS VEGAS – If you think Alan Belcher wants to ease back into middleweight title contention following his once-career-threatening eye injury, think again.
Belcher’s quick ascent in the UFC’s middleweight division recently was derailed by a detached retina.
But now ready to launch a training camp and an estimated three months away from his UFC return, he told MMAjunkie.com Radio he’s looking for an opponent. Some potential names? Michael Bisping, Wanderlei Silva and Demian Maia.
“I’d like to fight Wanderlei Silva,” Belcher said while in studio at MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “I don’t know. I like him as a fighter. I’ve always been a huge fan of his. He’s a huge name. I’ve fought a couple of big names but nothing like that. I want to break into [that level].
“I’m good with Maia too. I’m good with Bisping. So long as it’s someone who’s winning and it make sense for a title shot, that’s what’s going to motivate me to get in there to train hard and keep my streak going.”
Belcher (16-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC), in fact, was slated to fight Maia in a UFC Fight Night 22 main event back in September. But he started to lose vision in his right eye. After consulting physicians and learning of the detached retina, the injury forced the 26-year-old to not only withdraw from the fight but also face the possibility of watching his career come to an abrupt end.
The UFC middleweight contender has endured painful surgeries and stressful rehabilitation. His comeback, though, has been nothing short of awe-inspiring.
“It was very scary,” he said. “I thought I was going to be done pretty much. A lot of doctors told me I should never fight again and probably wouldn’t be able to pass any kind of eye exam. But I found the right guy, Dr. (Chris) Semple in Mobile, Ala., who’s one the best in the world. He got me back to pretty much 100 percent. I just got some new glasses, and with the corrected vision, I’m pretty much 20/20 in both fights.”
Even without glasses or contacts, he said he’s in fine shape to fight.
“I’ve learned to see normal,” he said. “It’s funny how the brain works. … It doesn’t really affect fighting.”
Prior to his injury, Belcher was riding high following a UFC 113 submission win over Patrick Cote this past May. The win was Belcher’s fourth in five fights, and the only loss came in controversial fashion in a split-decision defeat to Yoshihiro Akiyama.
That’s why he doesn’t want to waste his time with a warm-up fight or any other matchup that’s going to stall his push for a title shot. In fact, he thinks he’s a better fighter now than he was before the injury.
“I want to fight the biggest fight that’s possible,” the noted striker said. “Like I said in sparring, I feel I didn’t miss a beat at all. My doctor released me months ago to start grappling, so pretty much five days a week, I’ve been on the mats wrestling and grappling. Right now, I feel like my ground game is better than ever. It was a really healthy thing to take that time and concentrate on the ground.”
So is he really ready to start a traditional fight camp?
“I’m feeling pretty good right now,” he said. “I could sign today and fight in three months pretty easy, I think.”
Perhaps the biggest thing Belcher had going for him before the injury – and besides the recent wins – was the massive fan support. His crowd-pleasing style and willingness to fight anyone were appreciated. So fans took to Twitter and Facebook and UFC Q&A sessions to campaign for Belcher and bigger fights.
Despite his layoff, Belcher hopes those fans will continue voicing their desires.
“The fans kept me going through this whole thing with the fan mail and emails,” he said. “I want to give back. I know the fans to see me get back in there and fight. I can’t wait to get back in there and repay them for that.
“Speak up. Just speak up, and let Dana White and Joe Silva know who you want me to fight. Let them know how important Alan Belcher is to you and that you like the fearlessness and technique. Let’s get this thing going.”
And don’t think he’s not ready.
“When I say I’m back 100 percent, I’m back 100 percent,” he said. “It’s in my blood. It’s just easier for me to be in their sparring or fighting. It’s natural for me.
“I’m ready to get a fight signed and get back in there. It’s been too long.”
