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VITOR BELFORT RETIRES AFTER 20 YEARS IN MMA

UPDATE: 30 Minutes after he retired,he came out with a new statement that he will continue to fight in mma. 

“I’m not retired. I want to fight again soon. I am driven to get back on my feet and honor the nickname I so proudly carry. ‘The Phenom’ is back.”

Las Vegas, NV (October 15th, 2016)– It appears as though the 20-year-long career in the sport of mixed martial arts legend and former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort, 39, (25-13) has come to an end.

Coming off of back-to-back devastating losses in the Octagon at the hands of Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza in the first round of their co-main event meeting at UFC 198, and most recently in the second round of his co-main event meeting with Gegard Mousasi at UFC 204 this past weekend.

Belfort made the following statement in an Instagram post earlier today, announcing he has decided to end the fighting chapter of his life:

“Who does not recognize your own mistakes it is not worthy to lead yourself, even less the people around him.
I recognize that I am far from perfect, I am only human; a human being.
Once a poet in Brazil wrote:
” – may love be eternal while it lasts.
It is a beautiful fragment of a poem, but a truly consider it naive.
If I may and with all do respect, I would re write it like this:
” – may love be eternal while we nurture it.”
I confess that I need to nurture my competitive will inside the Octagon. I must cherish that fire inside of me again.
Having recognized that to myself;
I DECIDED TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO BURN THAT FLAME AGAIN!
Thanks a lot for all the support and advices. But I decided that I will end this chapter of my life looking at the mirror and recognizing myself.”

Quem não conhecesse os seus erros não é digno de liderar a si mesmo, quanto mais as pessoas que o cercam. Reconheço que não sou perfeito, sou somente HUMANO , um SER HUMANO. O poeta já escreveu : ” – que o amor seja eterno enquanto dure.” Esse é um belíssimo trecho de um poema. Porém eu o considero ingênuo. Com todo carinho e respeito ao poeta, peço permissão para reescrevê-lo da seguinte maneira: ” – QUE O AMOR SEJA ETERNO ENQUANTO SEJA CULTIVADO.” Confesso que preciso cultivar meu desejo pela competição dentro do octógono. Sei que tenho que zelar por aquela chama que sempre ardeu em mim. Tendo conhecimento pleno disso: ” – DECIDI QUE CUSTE O QUE CUSTAR VOU REACENDER MAIS UMA VEZ ESSA CHAMA.” Muito obrigado pelo carinho e apoio. Vou finalizar esse capítulo na minha vida, olhando no espelho e reconhecendo a mim mesmo. Who does not recognize your own mistakes it is not worthy to lead yourself, even less the people around him. I recognize that I am far from perfect, I am only human; a human being. Once a poet in Brazil wrote: ” – may love be eternal while it lasts. It is a beautiful fragment of a poem, but a truly consider it naive. If I may and with all do respect, I would re write it like this: ” – may love be eternal while we nurture it.” I confess that I need to nurture my competitive will inside the Octagon. I must cherish that fire inside of me again. Having recognized that to myself; I DECIDED TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO BURN THAT FLAME AGAIN! Thanks a lot for all the support and advices. But I decided that I will end this chapter of my life looking at the mirror and recognizing myself. @mundoboxing

A photo posted by Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort (@vitorbelfort) on

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