Belfort’s 10-Day Plan

No, it’s not a fad diet.

If Vitor Belfort gets the blessing to face heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, he’ll have 10 days (and counting) to tweak a camp that began eight weeks ago for middleweight Jorge Santiago.

“Ten days before any fight with Vitor is just keeping him relaxed and motivated,” said the Brazilian’s head trainer, Shawn Tompkins. “He’s in the greatest shape of his life. Mentally, he’s never been better, so it’s just strategy (now), preparing him to know right when he’s going to strike, mixing in his submissions –- both offense and defense-- and just keeping him relaxed.”

Aside from talk of weight-cut or gain, striking strategy was a big focus for Tompkins and Belfort Thursday night at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. The pair took to the ring for over an hour, conferring continuously on combinations and timing.

Tompkins, who has worked with Belfort for his last three fights, said the fighter has remained injury-free during the entire camp as well.

“I think this is the best Belfort I’ve seen,” said Tompkins. “I hate when people say it’s the ‘old Vitor.’ There is no such thing. It’s the new Vitor. He is so well rounded now, and so mentally sound, and he’s doing this for the right reasons.”