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Brazil Vitor Belfort, known as "The Phenom," has achieved distinction as a Brazilian and American professional boxer and a retired mixed martial artist, leaving a significant mark in the UFC, Pride FC, and ONE Championship.
Vitor Belfort expressed dissatisfaction with the Reebok deal implemented by the UFC, stating it significantly impacted his sponsorship earnings. He noted a loss of millions of dollars due to the exclusive nature of the partnership, which limited individual fighter endorsements.
Vitor Vieira Belfort was born on April 1, 1977, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began his combat sports journey early, training in boxing at age 12 and later Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlson Gracie, who awarded him a black belt. At just 17, Belfort won Absolute and Heavyweight titles as a blue belt at the Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championships. His mixed martial arts career commenced at 19 in the United States, quickly earning him the nickname “The Phenom.” He made an immediate impact by defeating Jon Hess in 12 seconds via knockout at Superbrawl, despite a significant size disadvantage. Shortly after, he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he further solidified his early success.
His tenure in the UFC saw him win the UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament, becoming the youngest fighter to secure a victory in the octagon. He also achieved a technical knockout against Tank Abbott at UFC 13. Belfort’s career progressed through various divisions, including Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, and Middleweight. He became the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in 2004 and a Cage Rage World Light Heavyweight Champion. Throughout his career, Belfort became known for his explosive knockout power, tying for fifth most finishes in UFC history with 14. He holds records for most first-round finishes (13) and most first-round knockouts (11) in UFC history. His accomplishments extend beyond MMA, with a professional boxing record that includes a victory against Josemario Neves in 2006 and an exhibition win against Evander Holyfield in 2021.
In 2025, Belfort was announced as a “pioneer wing” inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the sport. His career highlights include notable victories against Wanderlei Silva, Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold, and Dan Henderson, often earning him “Knockout of the Night” and “Performance of the Night” bonuses. He also competed in Pride FC, Strikeforce, and Affliction, facing top-tier opponents like Kazushi Sakuraba and Alistair Overeem. Beyond fighting, Belfort is a devout Christian, has authored an autobiography, and is married to Joana Prado, with whom he has three children. He became a naturalized American citizen in 2018.
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