Vitor Belfort stormed into the Ultimate Fighting Chamionship at the age of eighteen in 1997 at UFC 12 with a 77-second knockout of Tra Telligman. Later that night he knocked out Scott Ferrozzo in 43-seconds to become the heavyweight tournament champion.

Belfort showed a level of speed, athleticism, and boxing skill that had not yet been seen in the UFC. Belfort was 5-1 in the UFC before heading to Japan for a five-fight stint with Pride FC.

In 2002, Belfort returned to the UFC and lost a decision to Chuck Liddell, who had become the organization’s biggest star. Belfort continued to move back and forth between the UFC over the next few years, and in 2006 even took a professional boxing match in his home country of Brazil.

Belfort showed in his boxing match the same skills that made him successful in the UFC: lighting fast hands and raw power, knocking his opponent down three times in the first round:

Belfort returned to the UFC in 2009 and has fought for the organization ever since. Belfort most recently fought at UFC 198, a TKO loss to fellow Brazilian Jacare Souza.

About Vitor Belfort

TRAINING: I’ve been doing this as a professional athlete for 20 years. I’ve been on the top of my sport for all this time. And the only way to achieve that is giving everything I got during training and I don’t mean only physically, I mean everything. Sacrifice is needed to reach the top and stay there.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I just liked the sport. It is challenging and I like to be challenged.

What ranks and titles have you held? Former UFC light heavyweight champion, UFC heavyweight tournament champion, been ranked top 10 in light heavyweight and middleweight divisions. TUF Brazil coach.

source: ufc.com