Vitor Belfort first fought in the UFC back in 1997 making his debut for the organization when he was 19-years-old.
Fast-forward 20 years later to 2017 and “The Phenom” says he will be hanging his gloves up after his next fight at UFC 212 in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Although no official announcement by the UFC has been made on Belfort’s fight, Combate has reported that Belfort and Nate Marquardt are being targeted for the event taking place in Brazil on June 3.
Belfort posted the following message on social media with a collage of his memorable fights throughout his many years spent in the sport of mixed martial arts:
“Comecei minha jornada há 20 anos, no UFC 12 e exatos 200 eventos depois no dia 3 de Junho, estarei fazendo minha última luta na organização no UFC 212 na minha cidade natal, Rio de Janeiro.
Conto com a torcida de todos vcs na arena para que eu tenha a oportunidade de agradecer pessoalmente a cada de vcs que estiveram sempre comigo.
Vamos juntos!!_____________________________
“I started my UFC journey 20 years ago, at UFC 12 and exactly 200 events after at June third, I will be making my last appearance for the organization at my hometown, Rio de Janeiro.
I am expecting you at the arena so I can say thank you in person to you all that have been with me along this way.
Always together!!”
Vitor Belfort is one of the pioneers of the sport that helped pave the way to where mixed martial arts is today. “The Phenom” is currently the #10 ranked middleweight in the official UFC rankings and holds a 25-14 professional MMA record, going 14-10 in the UFC. Belfort will look to snap a three-fight losing streak in his last fight in the Octagon to close the last chapter of his storied career.
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 5/1/2017.