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Vitor Belfort

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Vitor Belfort
BornVitor Vieira Belfort
(1977-04-01) April 1, 1977 (age 47)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other namesThe Phenom
NationalityBrazilian
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
DivisionMiddleweight (2008–present)
Light Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Reach74.0 in (188 cm)
StyleBoxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Shotokan Karate
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofRio de Janeiro, Brazil
TeamTeam Vitor Belfort
TapouT Training Center
Xtreme Couture
Rank  black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  black belt in Judo
  blue belt in Shotokan[1]
Years active1996–present
Professional boxing record
Total1
Wins1
By knockout1
Losses0
Mixed martial arts record
Total28
Wins19
By knockout13
By submission2
By decision4
Losses9
By knockout3
By submission1
By decision5
Draws0
No contests0
Other information
SpouseJoana Prado
Websitehttp://www.vitorbelfort.com/
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: February 5, 2011

Vítor Vieira Belfort (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈvitoʁ bewˈfɔʁt]; born April 1, 1977) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Belfort was born in Rio de Janeiro and studied jiu-jitsu with the Gracie family, namely Carlson Gracie. He received a black belt under Carlson Gracie and currently trains with Xtreme Couture. Belfort fights in the middleweight division and is ranked the No. 6 middleweight in the world by Sherdog.com.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

At the age of 19, Belfort came to the United States to compete. In his first sanctioned mixed martial arts match, an event called Superbrawl in Hawaii, his opponent was Jon Hess, who the young Brazilian defeated in 12 seconds by knockout (KO).

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Soon after, he moved on to compete in the UFC, where he was given the nickname The Phenom. He beat two fighters in his debut event in the UFC, winning the UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament. At age 19, Belfort became the youngest fighter to ever score a victory inside the octagon.[3] Belfort's next match saw him score a technical knockout (TKO) against the UFC 6 runner-up Tank Abbott in a non-tournament fight, knocking Abbott down and finishing him with a ground and pound attack.

In 1997 Belfort fought against American Greco-Roman wrestler Randy Couture, the first of three fights they would have. Belfort was upset by TKO 8:16 into the match, his boxing skills negated by Couture's clinch fighting. Belfort won his rematch with Couture 7 years later due to a cut sustained by Couture 49 seconds into the bout. He lost their third and final match via doctor stoppage.

After this defeat, he would fight twice more in the UFC. The first of these fights was against a training partner of his, Joe Charles, who 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. Catching Silva early with a left cross, Belfort chased him across the ring with a flurry of punches, TKOing Silva in just 44 seconds.

PRIDE Fighting Championships

Vitor then moved on to fight in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships. His first opponent was Kazushi Sakuraba in 1999. Vitor controlled the first minutes of the fight before breaking his hand,[4] the remainder of the fight was spent on his back being stomped and kicked by Sakuraba. Following the fight he stopped training with Carlson Gracie and started to train with Brazilian Top Team.

He fought five more times in Pride against Gilbert Yvel, Daijiro Matsui, Bobby Southworth, Yoshiki Takahashi, and Heath Herring. For these matches Belfort used his stand-up striking skills less and instead controlled the fights and won by ground-and-pound tactics, with the exception of his fights with Southworth and Takahashi, which he won via rear naked choke and knockout in the first round respectively.

ADCC Championships

In 2001 Belfort participated in the ADCC championships, in their Absolute division. Pior to that competition he had already faced Hiroki Fukuda, winning by submission, and Mark Robinson, losing by points. In the championship Belfort faced Genki Sudo, winning by points, Ricco Rodriguez, winning by points, Ricardo Arona in the semi-final, losing by points and finally in the 3rd place fight defeating Ricardo Almeida by points, winning the bronze medal.

Return to the UFC

Returning to the UFC, Belfort was scheduled to fight Tito Ortiz in the main event of UFC's first Las Vegas show at UFC 33. However, he sustained an injury prior to the event, and the bout was cancelled. Belfort eventually returned and fought Chuck Liddell (losing via decision), then Marvin Eastman (winning via TKO and opening a severe cut on Eastman's eyebrow with a knee strike).

His next fight was on February 2, 2004, a rematch with Randy Couture for the UFC light heavyweight championship. Despite agonizing over his sister Priscila Belfort, who disappeared on January 9, Vitor won the fight in 49 seconds after a seam from his glove cut Couture's eye leaving Couture with a corneal abrasion, prompting a referee stoppage. A third match between the two took place on August 21, 2004. Couture won via doctor stoppage after the third round, recapturing the UFC light heavyweight title.

His next fight in the UFC was against Tito Ortiz on February 5, 2005. Belfort broke Tito's nose with punches in the first round and nearly stopped Ortiz in the second. The battle raged on as Vitor tried to keep it standing as Ortiz looked to continue to take the fight to the ground. Unable to finish the fight, Belfort lost by split decision.

Pro boxing

On April 11, 2006 Vitor fought in his pro boxing debut against Josemario Neves. Belfort won by TKO within the first minute after knocking his opponent down three times. This has been his sole venture into the sport of professional boxing so far.

Belfort has expressed a desire to return to professional boxing, stating in 2008 that he was interested in talking with Golden Boy Promotions regarding a deal. More recently, in response to current IBA heavyweight champion James Toney's challenge to fight an MMA fighter in the boxing ring, Belfort has stated that he wants to represent the sport of MMA against Toney in a 6 round professional match.[5]

Steroid controversy

At Pride 32: The Real Deal on October 21, 2006, Belfort lost a unanimous decision to Pride Welterweight Champion Dan Henderson. After the fight, Belfort tested positive for an illegal substance, 4-hydroxytestosterone.[6] In his defense, Belfort argued that he purchased an over the counter supplement which contained 4-Hydroxytestosterone. Belfort also explained that he may have received 4-Hydroxytestosterone as the result of rehabilitative injections given to him by Brazilian endocrinologist Dr. Rodrigo M. Greco after his surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee in the summer of 2006. The Nevada State Athletic Commission eventually received a statement from Dr. Greco stating that he did give Belfort post surgical injections containing testosterone.[7] While conceding that Belfort may have not known about the testosterone, the NSAC explained that even if Belfort was given injections by a medical practictioner who did not inform him that they contained anabolic steroids, it would still be a violation of the banned substances policy. On December 21, 2006 he was suspended for nine months from the date of the hearing and fined $10,000.

Cage Rage

Vitor Belfort defeated Ivan Serati by TKO at Cage Rage 21 in England on April 21, 2007. He defeated James Zikic on September 22, 2007 at Cage Rage 23 to claim the Cage Rage light heavyweight title in a unanimous decision. He entered the fight with a broken hand and during the fight threw minimal punches and utilized takedowns and ground and pound techniques. He apologized to the crowd for not putting on a good show but promised a better fight next time.[citation needed]

Affliction

Vitor spent a brief time training for his Affliction fight against Terry Martin with Chute Boxe in Brazil. However, he completed his preparation for the fight at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. Shawn Tompkins and Randy Couture helped train him for the fight in which he got a second round KO by landing a flying knee and following up with an uppercut straight-left combination.

After the fight Couture said Belfort was thinking about moving to Las Vegas and training at Xtreme Couture full time.

Belfort's next fight was slated to be against Matt Lindland at the second Affliction event, however, he was forced to pull out due to a hand-injury sustained during the Terry Martin fight. The second Affliction event was postponed anyway and rescheduled for January 2009, enabling Vitor to fight on that card.

After rumours of a possible bout with reigning Dream Middleweight Grand Prix winner Gegard Mousasi were circulating, it was announced that Vitor would finally fight Lindland at Affliction: Day of Reckoning. Lindland was originally slated to fight Renato Sobral at a catchweight, but promoters of Affliction preferred the Belfort vs. Lindland fight at Middleweight. The fight ended in a KO within 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.

Second return to the UFC

During a conference, Dana White announced that the UFC had re-signed Belfort to a contract. 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.

Belfort was expected to face Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight Championship on January 2, 2010 at UFC 108. However, Silva's manager, Ed Soares, announced that Silva would not be fully recovered from his injury by that time, so the fight was postponed.[8] Belfort was again stated to fight Silva on February 6, 2010 at UFC 109 and April 10, 2010 at UFC 112, respectively, but both fights were canceled because of a surgery for Silva and an injury suffered by Belfort.[9] Belfort was scheduled to fight Yushin Okami at UFC 122. However, UFC President Dana White tweeted Belfort would instead challenge Silva at UFC 126 for the belt.[10]

At the UFC 126 open workouts Belfort told Bleacher Report that Anderson Silva "wears a mask" in an attempt to intimidate Belfort before the bout. [11]

Belfort lost via KO with 1:35 left in the first round after being knocked down by a left front kick to the head and taking two punches after falling to the mat. After having the belt put on him, Silva took it off, and knelt at Belforts' feet, showing his respect, same as he had done after fighting Chael Sonnen. [12][13] This marked the first time that Belfort had ever been knocked out cold, as his other two stoppage losses (both by Randy Couture) were by way of TKO.

Belfort recently voiced his desire to challenge fellow middleweight contender Michael Bisping.[14]

Vitor is now scheduled to return at UFC 133 against Yoshihiro Akiyama.[15] Belfort initially thought the UFC would try to put him on the fight card at UFC 134 in Brazil, but the fight with Akiyama came together to help bolster the card in Philadelphia.[16]

Personal life

Belfort is married to Joana Prado and together they have three children, a son named Davi (born February 5, 2005), a daughter named Victoria (born October 31, 2007),[17] and a daughter named Kyara (born June 7, 2009).[18]

Belfort also had a small part in a reality show on Brazilian television and appeared next to his wife when she was photographed for the Brazilian edition of Playboy.[19]

On January 9, 2004, Vitor's sister, Priscila Belfort was kidnapped and the relatives received no information about her. In August 2007, a woman (identified as Elaine Paiva) confessed that she participated in her killing[20] and that she was kidnapped to pay off a four thousand dollar debt Paiva had with drug dealers. Paiva was arrested along with three others alleged to be involved in the kidnapping.

Vitor Belfort speaks Portuguese, English, and Spanish.[21]

He is a dedicated Christian and gives his life first to Jesus who he says gives him peace. [22]

Championships and awards

Mixed martial arts
Submission Grappling
  • ADCC
    • ADCC 2001 Absolute division – Bronze medal

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
28 matches 19 wins 9 losses
By knockout 13 3
By submission 2 1
By decision 4 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Yoshihiro Akiyama UFC 133 August 6, 2011 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Loss 19–9 Anderson Silva KO (front kick and punches) UFC 126 February 5, 2011 1 3:25 Las Vegas, Nevada For UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 19–8 Rich Franklin TKO (punches) UFC 103 September 19, 2009 1 3:02 Dallas, Texas Catchweight bout at 195 lbs, Knockout of the Night Honors
Win 18–8 Matt Lindland KO (punches) Affliction: Day of Reckoning January 24, 2009 1 0:37 Anaheim, California
Win 17–8 Terry Martin KO (punches) Affliction: Banned July 19, 2008 2 3:12 Anaheim, California Debut at Middleweight (185 lbs)
Win 16–8 James Zikic Decision (unanimous) Cage Rage 23 September 22, 2007 3 5:00 London, England Won Cage Rage World Light Heavyweight Championship
Win 15–8 Ivan Serati TKO (punches) Cage Rage 21 April 21, 2007 1 3:47 London, England
Loss 14–8 Dan Henderson Decision (unanimous) Pride 32 October 21, 2006 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada Tested positive for banned substance after fight
Win 14–7 Kazuo Takahashi KO (punch) Pride Critical Countdown Absolute July 2, 2006 1 0:36 Saitama, Japan
Loss 13–7 Alistair Overeem Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Revenge June 9, 2006 3 5:00 San Jose, California Fought at catchweight of 210 lb
Win 13–6 Antony Rea KO (punches) Cage Rage 14 December 3, 2005 2 1:14 London, England
Loss 12–6 Alistair Overeem Submission (guillotine choke) Pride Total Elimination 2005 April 23, 2005 1 9:36 Osaka, Japan Pride 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round
Loss 12–5 Tito Ortiz Decision (split) UFC 51 February 5, 2005 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss 12–4 Randy Couture TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 49 August 21, 2004 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada Lost UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Win 12–3 Randy Couture TKO (cut) UFC 46 January 31, 2004 1 0:49 Las Vegas, Nevada Won UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Win 11–3 Marvin Eastman TKO (knees and punches) UFC 43 June 6, 2003 1 1:07 Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss 10–3 Chuck Liddell Decision (unanimous) UFC 37.5 June 22, 2002 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 10–2 Heath Herring Decision (unanimous) Pride 14 May 27, 2001 3 5:00 Yokohama, Japan
Win 9–2 Bobby Southworth Submission (rear-naked choke) Pride 13 March 25, 2001 1 4:09 Saitama, Japan
Win 8–2 Daijiro Matsui Decision (unanimous) Pride 10 August 27, 2000 2 10:00 Saitama, Japan
Win 7–2 Gilbert Yvel Decision (unanimous) Pride 9 June 4, 2000 2 10:00 Nagoya, Japan
Loss 6–2 Kazushi Sakuraba Decision (unanimous) Pride 5 April 29, 1999 2 10:00 Nagoya, Japan
Win 6–1 Wanderlei Silva TKO (punches) UFC Ultimate Brazil October 16, 1998 1 0:44 São Paulo, Brazil Debut at 200 lbs
Win 5–1 Joe Charles Submission (armbar) UFC: Ultimate Japan December 21, 1997 1 4:03 Yokohama, Japan
Loss 4–1 Randy Couture TKO (punches) UFC 15 October 17, 1997 1 8:16 Bay St. Louis, Mississippi To determine the #1 contender for the UFC Heavyweight Championship
Win 4–0 Tank Abbott TKO (punches) UFC 13 May 30, 1997 1 0:52 Augusta, Georgia
Win 3–0 Scott Ferrozzo TKO (punches) UFC 12 February 7, 1997 1 0:43 Dothan, Alabama Won UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament
Win 2–0 Tra Telligman TKO (cut) UFC 12 February 7, 1997 1 1:17 Dothan, Alabama
Win 1–0 Jon Hess KO (punches) SuperBrawl 2 October 11, 1996 1 0:12 Honolulu, Hawaii

Submission grappling record

KO PUNCHES
Result Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Notes
Win Brazil Ricardo Almeida Points ADCC 2001 Absolute Division 2001 3rd Place Spot-Wins Bronze Medal
Loss Brazil Ricardo Arona Points ADCC 2001 Absolute Division 2001 Semi-Finals
Win United States Ricco Rodriguez Points ADCC 2001 Absolute Division 2001 Quarter-Finals
Win Japan Genki Sudo Points ADCC 2001 Absolute Division 2001 Opening Round
Loss United States Mark Robinson Points Absolute Division 2001
Win Japan Hiroki Fukuda Submission (injury) Absolute Division 2001

Boxing record

Result Record Opponent Method Date Round Time Location Notes
xWin 1–0 Brazil Josemario Neves KO[23] April 11, 2006 1 1:01 Brazil Antonio Balbino Gymnasyum, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil Boxing Debut

References

  1. ^ Erik Engelhart (5 October 2009). "Vitor Belfort earns Karate blue belt". Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  2. ^ "Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings". Sherdog.com. October 5, 2010.
  3. ^ "UFCStats – Stats and Records from Inside the Octagon". Ufcstats.x10hosting.com. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
  4. ^ Barbosa, Paulo Ruy (2000-07). "Vitor Belfort (interview)". Archived from the original on 2002-09-07. Retrieved 2010-05-22. When I fought Sak I had an accident during the fight, I broke my hand {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |trans_title= (help)
  5. ^ "Vitor Belfort lobbies Dana White to Fight James Toney in the ring". MMASpark.com. Retrieved 5 Sep, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. ^ [1] [dead link]
  7. ^ Trembow, Ivan (December 21, 2006). "Vitor Belfort & Pawel Nastula suspended". Mma Weekly. Retrieved March 19, 2009. [dead link]
  8. ^ "Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort not happening at UFC 108 in January". MMAJunkie.com. 2009-10-31. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  9. ^ Morgan, John. (2009-11-28) Anderson Silva's recovery slow, not fighting Vitor Belfort at UFC 109. MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
  10. ^ Vitor Belfort Confirms Likely UFC 127 Title Fight with Anderson Silva. Violent Monkey (2010-09-30). Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
  11. ^ UFC 126 Preview: Vitor Belfort Talks Respect, Not Intimidated By Anderson Silva. Bleacher Report (2011-02-03). Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
  12. ^ Champ Silva KO's Belfort at UFC 126, Jones earns title shot. Vancouversun.com (2011-02-07). Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
  13. ^ Iole, Kevin. (2011-02-23) Silva flattens Belfort in UFC 126 main event – UFC – Yahoo! Sports. Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
  14. ^ Vitor Belfort campaigns for fight with UFC 127 winner Michael Bisping. MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
  15. ^ "Yoshihiro Akiyama and Vitor Belfort to wage war at UFC 133". ESPN UK. April 21, 2011.
  16. ^ "UFC President Dana White Announces Belfort vs. Akiyama at UFC 133 in Philadelphia". MMAWeekly.com. 2011-04-21.
  17. ^ "Vitor Belfort Is A Proud Papa Again". Evilmaster.proelite.com. Archived from the original on 2008-04-19. Retrieved March 19, 2009.
  18. ^ "Em Casa Joana Prado e a filha Kyara já deixaram a maternidade". Ofuxico.terra.com.br. 2009-06-08. Retrieved 2009-07-19. [dead link]
  19. ^ "Vitor Belfort and Joana Prado in Playboy Magazine". Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  20. ^ "Priscila Belfort teria sido seqüestrada por uma dívida de R$ 9 mil com traficantes" (in Template:Pt icon). Oglobo.globo.com. April 17, 2006. Retrieved March 19, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  21. ^ "Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort". PRIDEFC Official Website. Pride. 2005. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  22. ^ Vitor’s Story, IamSecond.com
  23. ^ Vitor Belfort – Boxer. Boxrec.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-02.
Preceded by 4th UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
January 31, 2004 – August 21, 2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by UFC Heavyweight Tournament (UFC 12)
February 7, 1997 		Succeeded by

Template:Persondata

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