Vitor Belfort considers himself an important part of the UFC.
And why shouldn’t he?
He’s a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, multiple-time Middleweight title contender, and one of the most famous faces in the world’s largest MMA promotion. Heck, he was close to being the only person to defeat former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones (and no, I don’t count Matt Hamill’s DQ as a win). How could anyone forget that armbar?
Simply put: Vitor Belfort is not called “The Phenom” for nothing.
But is a match with Belfort worth $10,000,000?
He certainly thinks it is, and that is the lowest price he is willing to accept for any matches after his fight this weekend against Uriah Hall.
“$10 million or more to start the conversation,” Belfort was quoted as saying in an article by MMA Fighting. “That’s the number. And then we start talking.”
After an MMA career that’s almost as old as some of the UFC’s youngest fighters, the 40-year-old Vitor wants to hang up his gloves, saying that it’s time to rest his body.
He also has other business ventures in mind, namely, his gyms, Belfort Fitness and Lifestyle:
“I will start to open my gym franchises on Monday,” The Phenom said. “I’m investing in my businesses.”
The gyms will be open in both Brazil and the United States.
However, Vitor is still leaving the door open for a potential comeback — for those who can afford it, of course.
“…I will always train and dedicate myself. I have a lot of friends fighting, so I will always be prepared because I love doing this, this is my lifestyle, but it has to be very, very, very interesting because I’m happy with this decision.”
Vitor Belfort will take on Uriah Hall in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 124, set to go down this Sunday, January 14, from Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
You can catch all of the action live on Fight Pass.
In the meantime, check out this Vitor Belfort highlight reel courtesy of Junior Oliveira:
