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Announces retirement following loss to Lyoto Machida
Belfort lost to Lyoto Machida via KO (front kick) at 1:00 of Round 2 at UFC 224 on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro.
ANALYSIS
The 41-year-old Belfort has teased and mentioned retirement on multiple occasions in the past, but this time he left his gloves in the cage following the loss. In what seems likely to go down as his final fight, Vitor was brutally finished in a manner that was eerily similar to his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 126 in February 2011. Looking hesitant and confused throughout the course of the six-minute fight, Belfort attempted just 13 total strikes and landed just five, none of which damaged Machida in the least. Vitor certainly has his faults, but he had a brilliant career that spanned more than two decades. The Phenom's next stop (assuming he's done) will be the UFC Hall of Fame.
The 41-year-old Belfort has teased and mentioned retirement on multiple occasions in the past, but this time he left his gloves in the cage following the loss. In what seems likely to go down as his final fight, Vitor was brutally finished in a manner that was eerily similar to his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 126 in February 2011. Looking hesitant and confused throughout the course of the six-minute fight, Belfort attempted just 13 total strikes and landed just five, none of which damaged Machida in the least. Vitor certainly has his faults, but he had a brilliant career that spanned more than two decades. The Phenom's next stop (assuming he's done) will be the UFC Hall of Fame.
Fight against Lyoto Machida now official
Belfort will square off against Lyoto Machida in a middleweight matchup at UFC 224 on May 12 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
Belfort had originally planned to retire last June, but after a win over Nate Marquardt decided to give it another go in the Octagon. He was scheduled to face a younger and more athletic fighter in Uriah Hall in January, but after a bad weight cut sent Hall to the hospital, Belfort was left without an opponent. He'll now take on another fighter that played an equally-important role in laying the foundation for what the UFC is today. Lyoto Machida may be just 1-3 in his last four UFC bouts, but is coming off a split-decision victory over Eryk Anders on Feb. 3. With both Belfort and Machida coming off wins, the time was right to book the "legend vs. legend" matchup. With each fighter at or approaching 40 years of age, clearly neither is what they were in their prime, especially given the fact that UFC fighters are now subject to USADA's drug testing rules. Predicting this fight will come down to whoever has more left in the tank, or it could simply be a matter of who is able to connect with a power shot first.
Belfort had originally planned to retire last June, but after a win over Nate Marquardt decided to give it another go in the Octagon. He was scheduled to face a younger and more athletic fighter in Uriah Hall in January, but after a bad weight cut sent Hall to the hospital, Belfort was left without an opponent. He'll now take on another fighter that played an equally-important role in laying the foundation for what the UFC is today. Lyoto Machida may be just 1-3 in his last four UFC bouts, but is coming off a split-decision victory over Eryk Anders on Feb. 3. With both Belfort and Machida coming off wins, the time was right to book the "legend vs. legend" matchup. With each fighter at or approaching 40 years of age, clearly neither is what they were in their prime, especially given the fact that UFC fighters are now subject to USADA's drug testing rules. Predicting this fight will come down to whoever has more left in the tank, or it could simply be a matter of who is able to connect with a power shot first.
Retirement fight put on hold
Uriah Hall failed to show up to Saturday's weigh-ins prior to Sunday's bout against Vitor Belfort, Mike Bohn of USA Today Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
The UFC officially called off the fight minutes after the time for weigh-ins expired, with no reason given for why Hall was absent. Earlier in the week, Belfort proclaimed that this bout would be his final send-off before retirement, unless the promotion was willing to give him $10 million to compete in the future. Since that's extremely unlikely, the future is a little murky for Belfort at this moment. It remains to be seen whether the UFC will try to re-book this fight for a future card, or if Belfort will look to find another competitor before heading off into the sunset.
The UFC officially called off the fight minutes after the time for weigh-ins expired, with no reason given for why Hall was absent. Earlier in the week, Belfort proclaimed that this bout would be his final send-off before retirement, unless the promotion was willing to give him $10 million to compete in the future. Since that's extremely unlikely, the future is a little murky for Belfort at this moment. It remains to be seen whether the UFC will try to re-book this fight for a future card, or if Belfort will look to find another competitor before heading off into the sunset.
Intends to retire following fight against Hall
Belfort will take on Uriah Hall at UFC Fight Night St. Louis on Sunday, and announced that he will retire following this bout, Damon Martin of MMA Weekly reports.
ANALYSIS
Belfort has been skirting around the retirement talks for almost a year now, but seems genuinely sincere heading into this fight. The 40-year-old's UFC contract will come to an end after Sunday's bout, so that may help Belfort finally close the door on an assumed Hall of Fame career. "The Phenom" is a former light heavyweight champion and spent 22 years in the sport. Going into the fight he stated, "I think we've got to know the time to start and we've got to know the time to end. It's about time."
Belfort has been skirting around the retirement talks for almost a year now, but seems genuinely sincere heading into this fight. The 40-year-old's UFC contract will come to an end after Sunday's bout, so that may help Belfort finally close the door on an assumed Hall of Fame career. "The Phenom" is a former light heavyweight champion and spent 22 years in the sport. Going into the fight he stated, "I think we've got to know the time to start and we've got to know the time to end. It's about time."
Wins at UFC 212, will continue career
Belfort defeated Nate Marquardt via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 212 on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro.
ANALYSIS
More important than the win was Belfort's declaration after the contest that he will continue his career. This was long built up as Belfort's "retirement fight", but he told Brian Stann in his post-fight interview that he has five fights left on his deal and he plans on fulfilling it. It's not a surprise given the news that had been coming out over the last few days. This is almost certainly going to end badly for The Phenom. An argument can be made that he didn't deserve to win on Saturday and he is going to have difficulty finding opponents that are as washed up as Marquardt. Perhaps Belfort will change his mind if he struggles in his next few fights, but don't count on it.
More important than the win was Belfort's declaration after the contest that he will continue his career. This was long built up as Belfort's "retirement fight", but he told Brian Stann in his post-fight interview that he has five fights left on his deal and he plans on fulfilling it. It's not a surprise given the news that had been coming out over the last few days. This is almost certainly going to end badly for The Phenom. An argument can be made that he didn't deserve to win on Saturday and he is going to have difficulty finding opponents that are as washed up as Marquardt. Perhaps Belfort will change his mind if he struggles in his next few fights, but don't count on it.