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MMA fighters. Photo by Daniil Zanevskiy.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Vitor Belfort

Vitor Vieira Belfort is a Brazilian MMA fighter who competes in the Heavyweight and Middleweight divisions. Belfort has been a threat in three different weight classes for over two decades, fighting some of the best fighters in the UFC and around the world. 

Belfort previously fought in the Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, and Middleweight divisions for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and Cage Rage World Light Heavyweight Champion, as well as the UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament Champion. 

Title fights, memorable knockouts, and rivalries characterized Belfort’s MMA career. His career, however, was not without controversy. Without a doubt, Belfort’s MMA career has been legendary, with moments that every fight fan should be aware of.

1. He is nicknamed “The Phenom”

Soon after, he moved on to the UFC, where he earned the moniker “The Phenom.” He defeated two fighters in his UFC debut, winning the UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament. At the age of 19, Belfort became the youngest fighter to win an octagon fight.

In his next fight, Belfort scored a technical knockout (TKO) over UFC 6 runner-up Tank Abbott in a non-tournament fight, knocking Abbott down and finishing him with ground and pound.

2. Belfort was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission

Vitor Belfort. Photo by Tiago Cata.

Vitor Belfort fought Dan Henderson for the PRIDE welterweight title in October 2006. The Brazilian tested positive for the banned substance 4-hydroxytestosterone after losing the fight by unanimous decision. He was suspended for nine months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

At his hearing, Vitor Belfort represented himself. He stated that this compound could have been a component of his Brazilian endocrinologist’s rehabilitative injections or a nutritional supplement.

Although the NSAC acknowledged that Vitor Belfort may not have intentionally induced himself with the banned substance, the commission upheld its ban because the former UFC light heavyweight champion tested positive while competing.

3. Vitor Belfort displayed elevated levels of testosterone in 2014

In 2014, ‘The Phenom’ was supposed to face Chris Weidman at UFC 173. The NSAC was changing its rules regarding permissible testosterone replacement therapy at the time. The therapy was legal until 2014, and Vitor Belfort appeared to have used it in the past due to alleged low testosterone levels.

TRT became legally prohibited in 2014. Vitor Belfort tested positive for testosterone in a random drug test in February 2014. As a result, Belfort withdrew from his fight against Weidman.

Despite this, the pair eventually faced off in the octagon in May 2015, after many more canceled fights. Belfort was knocked out in the first round.

4. He claims to being a former UFC Heavyweight Champion

Belfort was invited to compete in the UFC after making an impressive MMA debut. Belfort competed in a one-night, four-man heavyweight tournament at UFC 12.

Belfort defeated both of his opponents by technical knockout in less than two minutes. Belfort’s tournament victory predates the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Belfort can lay claim to being a former UFC Heavyweight Champion because he won one of the original UFC tournaments.

5. Belfort won his first official UFC championship at UFC in 2004

He defeated Randy Couture for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Belfort won the title as a result of a doctor’s stoppage after Couture suffered an eye cut. This was Belfort and Couture’s second fight.

They first met in 1997 at UFC 15. Couture handed Belfort his first MMA defeat that night. Couture was given an immediate rematch after losing the light heavyweight title in 2004. He won the fight at UFC 49 after the doctor ruled Belfort couldn’t continue after the third round.

6. Vitor Belfort left the UFC twice to compete in PRIDE Fighting Championship

Vitor Belfort. Photo by Tiago Cata.

Belfort left the UFC on two occasions to compete in PRIDE Fighting Championship, Japan’s largest MMA promotion. Belfort debuted in PRIDE in 1999. Belfort lost his promotion debut as a heavyweight to Kazushi Sakuraba. Belfort would go on to win his next four fights, including heavyweight victories over Gilbert Yvel and Heath Herring.

Belfort returned to Japan for three more fights after returning to the UFC for five fights. However, his second stint in PRIDE was a failure. He was defeated by Alastair Overeem and Dan Henderson.

7. Belfort’s longest winning streak came after his last fight in PRIDE

Belfort won two consecutive fights in Europe’s Cage Rage promotion after his final fight in Japan. Following those victories, Belfort returned to the United States to compete in the Affliction promotion.

Belfort knocked out Terry Martin and Matt Lindland in Affliction. Belfort later rejoined the UFC. Belfort knocked out former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin at UFC 103 in 2009. Belfort was offered a fight for the UFC Middleweight Championship after his fifth consecutive victory.

8. Belfort announced his retirement in 2018

Vitor Belfort. Photo by BMF BMF.

Belfort announced his retirement from the UFC after winning only one of his last five fights. Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida knocked out Belfort with a front kick to the face at UFC 224 in 2018. Following the fight, Befort announced his retirement.

Belfort had previously defeated Nate Marquardt in a decision. Belfort had three consecutive TKO losses to Jacare Souza, Gegard Mousasi, and Kelvin Gastelum prior to his final UFC victory.

9. Vitor Belfort was featured in the Playboy magazine

Magazines. Photo by Charisse Kenion.

Belfort was born in Rio de Janeiro on April 1, 1977, to a French-Brazilian father and a Greek-Brazilian mother. He is married to Joana Prado and has three children with her.

They began dating in 2000, broke up, and reunited in 2002 on a reality show. The same year, Belfort was photographed with Joana for the Brazilian edition of Playboy. 

10. Belfort is also a professional boxer

Pair of red-and-black Title training gloves. Photo by Kenny Eliason.

Belfort made his professional boxing debut on April 11, 2006, against Josemario Neves. Belfort won by TKO after knocking his opponent down three times in the first minute. So far, this is his only foray into the world of professional boxing.

Belfort has stated his desire to return to professional boxing, stating in 2008 that he was interested in discussing a deal with Golden Boy Promotions. In 2010, Belfort expressed interest in representing the sport of MMA against former IBA Heavyweight Champion James Toney in a 6-round professional boxing match in response to Toney’s challenge to fight an MMA fighter in the boxing ring. However, James Toney was defeated in the UFC Octagon by Randy Couture at UFC 118.