Report Last Updated - 3/02
Birthdate - 4/1/77
6' 200 lbs. - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Team - Brazilian Top Team?
Style - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Boxing
Career Highlights
- Beats Tra Telligman and Scott Ferrazzo to win the UFC XII Heavyweight tournament
- Scores a big 53 second win over Tank Abbott in the UFC XIII Superfight
- Gets a big knockout win over Vanderlei Silva at Ultimate Brazil
- Defeats Gilbert Yvel by decision at Pride 9
- Beats Heath Herring at Pride 14 by decision
Striking - Belfort maybe on the small size, but he packs a powerful punch and explosive speed. He trained to be an Olympic boxer, so he is a world class puncher. He can barrage someone to the point where they try to take it to the ground, where he will either continue to pound away or go for a submission. He is a South Paw, but his right cross is his strongest punch. Sadly, Belfort is trying to move away from being the lightning fast striker he became famous for being.
Wrestling - Though he doesn't have to rely on takedowns often, Belfort is great at them. He is impressive on his feet, but he is even better on the ground. He's good at riding fallen opponents and using his punches to finish them off.
Hooking - Belfort is a Carlson Gracie disciple, so he is a master of submission. He was such a phenom that he was allowed to use the Gracie name. Unfortunately or fortunately, Belfort has never delved into his submissions much. He is certainly capable and has shown it off just to quiet his critics.
Strengthes - MMA has influenced crosstraining, but Belfort was a natural at both Jiu-Jitsu and Boxing, so he is a very well-rounded fighter. He has a lot of speed and strength that are probably the best qualities of his style.
Weaknesses - If Vitor's striking is countered, he quickly becomes half a fighter. Though he is a top notch Jiu-Jitsu master, he favors using his fast hands most of the time. Belfort has decided to show off his ground game to his critics on occasion, which means a longer fight. Belfort's losses are usually for good reason underestimating an opponent, which leads him to undertraining. He has also focused more on his grappling/hooking than striking, which has hurt his game significantly.
Outlook - Vitor Belfort came into the MMA world and was dominate with his punching speed. Though he has lost a few times, Vitor's wins are usually impressive and convincing. Belfort seems to be unable to find his place in the UFC or Pride, though he has been quite successful in both. Since former trainer Carlson Gracie feels Belfort betrayed him look for the Gracie patriarch to do everything he can to see Vitor lose. Belfort is also going back to his roots in Jiu-Jitsu more and his old self seems dead. If "The Phenom" cannot return to his former self, he may be in trouble for the future.