Vitor Belfort: I Know I’m Still At The Top Of The Division
After a year and a half on the sidelines after the ban of his famously used testosterone-replacement-therapy (TRT), Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort finally returned at UFC 187 on May 23, 2015 to meet current middleweight king Chris Weidman. The Result? Not a successful one for the legendary and controversial Brazilian.
“The Phenom” looked strong coming out of the gate and actually landed a few big shots on the champion, but Weidman was able to score a quick takedown and end the fight on the canvas via strikes in the first-round.
After debuting in the UFC over 18 years ago, many were calling for Belfort to retire after his disappointing loss. Having held titles in two different weight classes, there’s not much left for him to prove. However, recently speaking with Sensei Sportv (via MMAFighting), Belfort stated that after watching his early fights, he believes that he still has another title run left in him:
“When I see this, I see I can be here and fight more,” Belfort said while watching a tape of his first UFC wins in 1997. “I still can do another run for the title.”
Despite being ranked No. 3 in the middleweight rankings, Belfort may have a tough time getting another title shot as there is a line of hungry killers waiting for their chance at Weidman. However, the Brazilian claims that UFC president Dana White and UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertita called him after UFC 187 to see if he wanted to make another run. Belfort says that they know what kind of potential he has:
“I got a phone call from Lorenzo and Dana the next day, asking me how I was,” he said. “My last year and a half were really tough, adapting, a lot of changes. ‘Do you want to do another title run?’ They know my potential. They called me to know how I was and if I want another title run. I know I’m still at the top of the division.”
Continuing on, Belfort admitted that his manager and wife Joana Prado was also concerned about his future and why he wants to continue fighting. “The Phenom” simply wants the title, and if he’s going to continue fighting, the title is his only motivation:
“Joana asked me an interesting question. ‘Why do you want to continue fighting?’ I won’t lie, won’t fight only to continue fighting. If I’m in, I will want to go there to win the title. If it’s just to (fight), I don’t want it,” he said. “That’s not what I’m made of. God will give me this direction and I trust the people that work with me. Joana and the other partners who run the office will make the right decision with the UFC.”
With the likes of Weidman, Luke Rockhold, and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza sitting at the top of the stacked 185-pound rankings, can Belfort really make another run at gold?
