Few of his contemporaries are still fighting at a similar level as Vitor Belfort. When the Brazilian striker burst on to the UFC scene in 1997, he was just 19 years old. Today’s mixed martial arts has only a passing resemblance to that previous incarnation, yet Belfort has evolved along with the sport.
At 33 years old, he’s one of few remaining fighters from those old days capable of still headlining a major card, let alone and fighting at a championship level. Next Saturday at UFC 126, Belfort becomes the next to attempt to dislodge Anderson Silva off the middleweight throne, a task that has so far proven impossible.
Despite the high-stakes matchup, Belfort says that he no longer lets the enormity of the moment overwhelm him.