Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort's Professional MMA debut
Belfort made his professional debut against Jon Hess on October 11, 1996, fighting on the main event of Superbrawl 2: Belfort vs. Hess.
He made a winning start to his career, defeating Jon Hess who carried a 1-0-0 professional MMA record into the fight.
Vitor Belfort beat Jon Hess by KO/TKO at 0:12 of Round 1.
Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort's Ultimate Fighting Championship Career
Belfort made his debut in the UFC against Tra Telligman on February 7, 1997, fighting on the main card of UFC 12: Judgement Day having compiled a 1-0-0 professional MMA record.
Vitor Belfort beat Tra Telligman by KO/TKO at 1:17 of Round 1.
Since his debut, Belfort has gone on to fight a total of 26 more times in the UFC. His UFC record stands at 15-10-0 with 1 no contest.
Winning the belt: Tournament Championship against Scott Ferrozzo
Belfort won the Tournament Championship defeating Scott Ferrozzo on February 7, 1997 at UFC 12: Judgement Day.
This was Belfort's 1st UFC championship fight.
Vitor Belfort beat Scott Ferrozzo by KO/TKO at 0:43 of Round 1.
Winning the belt: UFC Middleweight Championship against Wanderlei Silva
Belfort won the UFC Middleweight Championship defeating Wanderlei Silva on October 16, 1998 at UFC 17.5: Ultimate Brazil.
This was Belfort's 2nd UFC championship fight.
Vitor Belfort beat Wanderlei Silva by KO/TKO at 0:44 of Round 1.
Outside the UFC
After his UFC stint, Belfort took his next fight at PFC on April 29, 1999, fighting against Kazushi Sakuraba on the main card of Pride 5.
Vitor Belfort lost to Kazushi Sakuraba by Decision at 10:00 of Round 2.
Return to Ultimate Fighting Championship
After 5 fights outside of the promotion, Belfort returned to the UFC on June 22, 2002, fighting against Chuck Liddell on the main event of UFC 37.5: As Real As It Gets.
At the time of his UFC return, his professional MMA record stood at 10-2-0
Vitor Belfort lost to Chuck Liddell by Decision at 5:00 of Round 3.
Winning the belt: UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Randy Couture
Belfort won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship defeating Randy Couture on January 31, 2004 at UFC 46: Supernatural.
This was Belfort's 3rd UFC championship fight.
Vitor Belfort beat Randy Couture by KO/TKO at 0:49 of Round 1.
Title loss: Losing the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship to Randy Couture
Belfort lost his UFC Light Heavyweight title to Randy Couture on August 21, 2004 at UFC 49: Unfinished Business.
The loss meant that Belfort had made no successful defences of the UFC light heavyweight title.
Vitor Belfort lost to Randy Couture by KO/TKO at 5:00 of Round 3.
Return to Ultimate Fighting Championship
After 9 fights outside of the promotion, Belfort returned to the UFC on September 19, 2009, fighting against Rich Franklin on the main event of UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort.
At the time of his UFC return, his professional MMA record stood at 18-8-0
Vitor Belfort beat Rich Franklin by KO/TKO at 3:02 of Round 1.
Failed UFC title challenge: UFC Middleweight Championship loss to Anderson Silva
Belfort lost his 1st middleweight title challenge, losing to Anderson Silva on February 5, 2011 at UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort.
Vitor Belfort lost to Anderson Silva by KO/TKO at 3:25 of Round 1.
Failed UFC title challenge: UFC Light Heavyweight Championship loss to Jon Jones
Belfort lost his 1st light heavyweight title challenge, losing to Jon Jones on September 22, 2012 at UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort.
Vitor Belfort lost to Jon Jones by Submission at 0:54 of Round 4.
Failed UFC title challenge: UFC Middleweight Championship loss to Chris Weidman
Belfort lost his 2nd middleweight title challenge, losing to Chris Weidman on May 23, 2015 at UFC 187: Johnson vs. Cormier.
Vitor Belfort lost to Chris Weidman by KO/TKO at 2:53 of Round 1.
When was Vitor Belfort's last win?
Belfort's last win came against Nate Marquardt at UFC 212 on Saturday June 3, 2017. Vitor Belfort beat Nate Marquardt by Decision at 5:00 of Round 3.