The significance of the timing isn’t lost on Vitor Belfort, the 39-year-old with the outdated “Phenom” nickname, who still provides a walking scrapbook to where the UFC has been throughout his remarkable career.
Belfort (25-13), a former light heavyweight champion, first arrived on the scene during a pre-Zuffa era of the UFC best described as prehistoric. Gloves were not yet mandatory. Belfort debuted wearing wrestling shoes, running across the cage to unleash a fury of piston-like punches as early MMA’s answer to Mike Tyson.
In February 1997, Belfort blitzed through a pair of opponents on the same night in Dothan, Alabama, to win the UFC 12 heavyweight tournament.
That was 20 years ago. He’s still fighting. On Saturday, he once again headlines a UFC event when he return to his native Brazil to face Kelvin Gastelum in a five-round middleweight bout at UFC Fight Night in Fortaleza.
“I’m highly motivated for this event in Brazil. I couldn’t be more motivated,” Belfort said. “It has been 20 years since I got my first UFC belt. I’m very happy. I’m so happy to still be fighting in the UFC headlining an event and fighting one of this new generation of top fighters.”
UFC Fortazela viewing info
- When: Saturday, March 11
- Where: Fortazela, Brazil
- Prelims: 8 p.m. ET, FS1, streaming on Fox Sports Go
- Main card: 10 p.m. ET, FS1, streaming on Fox Sports Go
It’s still possible that Gastelum (13-2) might represent the future of the middleweight division. The 25-year-old made his UFC debut in 2013 by winning “The Ultimate Fighter 17” middleweight tournament.
A pair of subsequent runs at welterweight were largely successful but ultimately derailed by an inability to make weight. But Gastelum enters Saturday’s content as a full-fledged middleweight. Fresh off retiring Tim Kennedy in December, his focus is on recording his most important win to date.
“A win over Vitor makes me a household name in the UFC and I’m pretty happy about that,” Gastelum said. “He’s a big name and a legend in the sport so it will be a big win and probably the best of my UFC career.”
One month shy of 40, it’s difficult to determine exactly what’s left in the tank of Belfort, who has long relied on power and speed as the foundation of his game. Whichever period of Belfort’s long and unique career you identify as his absolute prime, including a TRT-fueled, super-human resurgence in 2013, the only thing certain is that he’s currently far removed.
Belfort has lost three of four since testosterone replacement therapy was banned by the UFC in 2014, and all three have come by stoppage against the division’s elite: Chris Weidman, Ronaldo Souza and Gegard Mousasi.
Belfort says he will lean on his experience, for sure, but one thing he won’t be doing is looking to channel the Vitor of old.
“The fact is, the only thing I can do is to do my best,” Belfort said. “If I do my best, I will be pleased. There will always be pressure when you’re on top. People want to see the old Vitor. That’s impossible. However, today’s Vitor might be better than before.
“I still have a lot to do and I’m always willing to keep going and move forward.”
UFC Fortazela fight card with odds
| Favorite | Challenger | Weightclass |
|---|---|---|
Kelvin Gastelum -375 | Vitor Belfort +285 | Middleweight |
Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua -145 | Gian Villante +115 | Light heavyweight |
Edson Barboza -175 | Beneil Dariush +145 | Lightweight |
Ray Borg -130 | Jussier Formiga +100 | Flyweight |
Marion Reneau -130 | Bethe Correia +100 | Women’s bantamweight |
| Tim Means -240 | Alex Oliveira +180 | Welterweight |
Outside of his issues cutting weight, the skills of Gastelum have never been in question. A solid wrestler and striker, the native of San Jose, California, has lost just twice in the Octagon and both defeats have come by split decision (Tyron Woodley, Neil Magny).
While Gastelum is prepared to have his hands full with the veteran Belfort, a fellow southpaw, he predicts Belfort’s end will come in the early going.
“A difficult fight, a difficult fight, that’s what I expect,” Gastelum said. “But I’m also very confident going into the fight, very confident in my abilities, very confident in my training and very confident in the time that I put in so that’s where my confidence comes from.
“What I want to happen and what I think will happen are usually different. But this time I want and think that I will finish this fight in the first round.”
For as much as Belfort, who has competed on the championship level across three division in 20 years, acknowledges the dangers that Gastelum presents, Saturday’s main event is a style clash he believes is in his favor.
“Kelvin Gastelum is a guy who likes to fight. He likes to come forward,” Belfot said. “He can grapple, his boxing is also very good and he has the perfect style for me. It’s the perfect matchup.
“We’ve been studying Kelvin’s strengths and weaknesses and we’ve been focusing on those in training. You can expect a great fight. Vitor will be there, counting on the fans and giving his best.”
