BREAKING NEWS: I am thrilled to announce that UFC Legend Vitor Belfort is now a ONE Championship athlete! A former UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion, Vitor holds the record for the most KOs in UFC history as well as the 2nd most finishes. #WeAreONE pic.twitter.com/Sbf15KPPua
— Chatri Sityodtong (@yodchatri) March 1, 2019
Rebounding relatively quickly following his short-lived retirement, Vitor Belfort has decided to sign with One Championship.
Late Thursday night, One Championship founder and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced that the former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort (26-14, 1 NC) has signed with the promotion based in Singapore. First announcing the news was Ariel Helwani, and the official word came from Sityodtong shortly thereafter.
According to MMA Fighting, his introduction should take place at an upcoming One Championship media day in Las Vegas. This signing comes on the heels of a slew of major signings by the promotion, including Eddie Alvarez and Sage Northcutt, as well as the “trade” between the UFC and One for the latter promotion to sign former UFC flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson.
Belfort officially retired after losing by knockout to Lyoto Machida last May at UFC 224, although months later he rescinded his retirement and announced his return to active competition. However, dating back to 2014, Belfort has won two while dropping by four by knockout, and also picked up a no-contest thanks to his opponent Kelvin Gastelum failing a drug test after UFC Fight Night 106.
Making his MMA debut in 1996 and his UFC debut at UFC 12 in 1997, Belfort won the UFC 12 heavyweight tournament by smashing Tra Telligman and Scott Ferrozzo in a combined two minutes. Competing for Pride Fighting Championships, Strikeforce and Affliction along the way, Belfort has always been a perennial contender. A prolific finisher, Belfort is currently still the UFC’s all-time leader in knockouts with 12.