Vítor Vieira Belfort[4] (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈvitoʁ viˈejɾɐ bɛwˈfɔʁ]; born 1 April 1977) is a Brazilian professional boxer and retired mixed martial artist who competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he fought in the Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, and Middleweight divisions.
Gracie scouted Belfort at the Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championships, where he won the Absolute and Heavyweight titles for blue belts under age 18.
The first of these fights was against a training partner of his, Joe Charles, whom he defeated quickly via armbar without throwing a single punch.
A year later, Belfort faced rising Brazilian star and future PRIDE Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva.
He fought in PRIDE against Alistair Overeem, Gilbert Yvel, Daijiro Matsui, Bobby Southworth, and Heath Herring.
However, in the opening round of the 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix he faced Alistair Overeem, losing via first-round guillotine choke.
After a hard-fought battle, Belfort lost a close split decision: some people, including then UFC Light heavyweight champion, Chuck Liddell believed he deserved to win the first as well as the second round, due to his octagon control and breaking Ortiz's nose with punches, early in round one.
Vítor Belfort defeated Ivan Serati by TKO at Cage Rage 21 in England on 21 April 2007.
Vítor spent a brief time training for his Affliction fight against Terry Martin with Chute Boxe in Brazil.
Randy Couture and Shawn Tompkins helped train him for the fight, in which he achieved a second-round KO by landing a flying knee and following up with an uppercut straight-left combination.
With rumours of a possible bout with reigning Dream Middleweight Grand Prix winner Gegard Mousasi circulating, it was announced that Vítor would finally fight Lindland at Affliction: Day of Reckoning.
The fight ended in a KO at thirty-seven seconds, as Belfort delivered a strong left to Lindland's jaw and followed up with four unanswered power shots as he hit the ground.
His first match was against Rich Franklin at a catchweight of 195 lbs, headlining UFC 103, which he won by knockout three minutes and two seconds into the first round.
[13] Belfort lost by knockout after getting hit with a front kick to the face and taking two punches after falling to the mat.
[15] Belfort contracted Hepatitis A in April, shortly after accepting the fight, but his representative, Pedro Lima, said that it would not jeopardize the bout with Akiyama.
[16] Belfort was successful in his return, winning the fight by knockout one minute and fifty-two seconds into the first round.
[17] Belfort was briefly linked to a matchup with Cung Le, expected to take place on 19 November 2011, at UFC 139.
[23] However, on 27 May 2012, Belfort was forced to pull out of the bout, citing a broken hand in training, and replaced by Rich Franklin.
He told Fighters Only magazine, "I guess Wanderlei will be able to fight in October but I only want that my next bout that accredits me to dispute the belt.
[32] Belfort faced Dan Henderson at light heavyweight in a rematch on 9 November 2013, at UFC Fight Night 32.
[36] Subsequently, Belfort revealed that he had failed a random drug test in February, due to elevated levels of testosterone.
[39] The following day it was announced by MMA writer Kevin Iole that Belfort had also been removed from the card due to the inability of the UFC to find him a new opponent.
[40] However, on 22 September, it was announced that Weidman had suffered a broken hand and the bout was again rescheduled to take place on 28 February 2015, at UFC 184.
[45] Belfort faced Dan Henderson in a rubber match at UFC Fight Night 77 on 7 November 2015.
[48] Belfort next faced Ronaldo Souza on 14 May 2016, at UFC 198[49] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
[58] Belfort was expected to face Uriah Hall on 14 January 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs.
[59] However, on 13 January 2018, it was announced that Hall did not make it to the weigh-in because he fainted and suffered seizures from weight-cutting practices and the bout was cancelled.
Prior to that competition he had already faced Hiroki Fukuda, winning by submission, and Mark Robinson, losing by points.
The bout was postponed to MF & DAZN: X Series 003 on 19 November 2022, and was expected to take place at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
[78] Belfort was born on 1 April 1977, in Rio de Janeiro to a French-Brazilian father and a Greek-Brazilian mother.