Vitor Belfort exploded onto the mixed martial arts scene in 1997 when, at the young age of just 19, he destroyed opponents Tra Telligman and Scott Ferrozzo in a combined two minutes at UFC 12 to win the Ultimate Fighting Championships heavyweight tournament.
Since then, Belfort has continued to compete at the highest level of the sport and fight in many high profile matches and in multiple weight classes against some of the biggest names in the history of mixed martial arts.
Marvin Eastman entered the world of MMA in 2000, beginning his career with a unanimous decision victory over future UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Rampage Jackson and went on to amass a career record of 18 wins, 15 losses and 1 draw. Eastman also spent time as a professional kickboxer, earning a record of 17 wins and 9 losses. Despite Eastman’s many accomplishments in combat sports, he is perhaps best known for the cringe-inducing gash he suffered at the hands of a young Vitor Belfort in the first round of their fight at UFC 43 on June 6, 2003.
The fight begins with a feeling out period, as each man tries to find his range. At just less than a minute into the match, Eastman tries to clinch and Belfort is able to secure a Thai plumb before landing a powerful knee that not only sends Eastman falling to the canvas, but also opens a cut the likes of which is rarely seen outside of a horror movie. Belfort is able to finish Eastman with strikes on the ground, although the cut would’ve surely been enough to call a stop to the contest.
