Vitor Belfort continues to prepare for what will be the final fight of his UFC run, but it sounds like “The Phenom” intends to compete beyond June 3rd. Following Belfort’s one-sided loss to Kelvin Gastelum in March (which has since been overturned), the 40-year-old star announced his next bout would be his last with the […]
Vitor Belfort continues to prepare for what will be the final fight of his UFC run, but it sounds like “The Phenom” intends to compete beyond June 3rd.
Following Belfort’s one-sided loss to Kelvin Gastelum in March (which has since been overturned), the 40-year-old star announced his next bout would be his last with the UFC. Since Belfort has been with the UFC for years, and because he’s won just one of his last five bouts, the consensus was he’d be hanging up the gloves after UFC 212.
Well, it looks like that’s not the case. According to a recent report from MMA Fighting, Belfort recently told Veja Rio the following:
“(I will) leave the UFC, but I’ll continue competing,” Belfort said. “Fight is my passion. Too bad that MMA hasn’t become a serious sport yet. Maybe I’ll help change this scenario.”
This shouldn’t come as too big of a surprise. Yes, even if you’re one of the people who believe that Belfort should call it quits on his storied career.
For some time, Belfort talked about his hope that the UFC would create a “legends” division, so he could continue to fight. Obviously, the world’s biggest MMA promotion isn’t going to go that route. So, Belfort will need to look elsewhere if he wants to fight, and it sounds like he will.
Considering how big of a name Belfort is, he’s going to have no problems finding another promotion to fight for. You know Bellator would love to have Belfort on board.
The Brazilian is scheduled to fight fellow veteran Nate Marquardt at June 3’s UFC 212 from his native Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Yes, UFC 212 marks the final fight in the UFC career of former champion Vitor Belfort. But “The Phenom” is not walking away from competition completely. Belfort will take on Nate Marquardt next month from Brazil, looking to snap a three-fight losing skid. After that, he said he’ll “continue competing” in an interview with Veja […]
Yes, UFC 212 marks the final fight in the UFC career of former champion Vitor Belfort. But “The Phenom” is not walking away from competition completely. Belfort will take on Nate Marquardt next month from Brazil, looking to snap a three-fight losing skid. After that, he said he’ll “continue competing” in an interview with Veja […]
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is doing some heavy promotion for their summer events. Today (May 12), the largest mixed martial arts (MMA) organization will hold a press conference at 5:30 p.m. ET. During the presser, the UFC will discuss UFC 212 through UFC 214. Fighters from those cards will also be in attendance. The […]
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is doing some heavy promotion for their summer events. Today (May 12), the largest mixed martial arts (MMA) organization will hold a press conference at 5:30 p.m. ET. During the presser, the UFC will discuss UFC 212 through UFC 214. Fighters from those cards will also be in attendance. The […]
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is doing some heavy promotion for their summer events. Today (May 12), the largest mixed martial arts (MMA) organization will hold a press conference at 5:30 p.m. ET. During the presser, the UFC will discuss UFC 212 through UFC 214. Fighters from those cards will also be in attendance. The […]
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is doing some heavy promotion for their summer events. Today (May 12), the largest mixed martial arts (MMA) organization will hold a press conference at 5:30 p.m. ET. During the presser, the UFC will discuss UFC 212 through UFC 214. Fighters from those cards will also be in attendance. The […]
Kelvin Gastelum has been suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency for three months. Gastelum was originally slated to face off against former UFC middleweight king Anderson Silva at UFC 212 on pay-per-view (PPV) from Brazil, however, he was removed from the contest after being flagged by USADA. Gastelum tested positive for Carboxy-THC, the pharmacologically-active metabolite found
Kelvin Gastelum has been suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency for three months.
Gastelum was originally slated to face off against former UFC middleweight king Anderson Silva at UFC 212 on pay-per-view (PPV) from Brazil, however, he was removed from the contest after being flagged by USADA. Gastelum tested positive for Carboxy-THC, the pharmacologically-active metabolite found in marijuana.
Originally, Gastelum was handed a six month suspension for the failed test, which was taken in-competition on March 11th, the same night of his main event bout against Vitor Belfort in Brazil. As a result, the Brazilian MMA Sports Court (STJDMMA) handed the 25-year-old a three month suspension and fined him 20 percent of his fight purse.
His win over Belfort was later overturned to a No Contest.
Mar 11, 2017; Fortazela, Brazil, USA; Kelvin Gastelum (blue gloves) fights Vitor Belfort (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Centro de Formacao Olimpica de Fortaleza. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Gastelum is currently on a two-fight win streak with his recent knockout win over Belfort having been overturned. His last Octagon win saw him finish the now-retired Tim Kennedy in the third round of their UFC 206 PPV matchup back in December.
The Ultimate Fighter Season 17 (TUF 17) winner’s only losses in his mixed martial arts (MMA) career have come via split decision, and they’ve been to the likes of Neil Magny and current 170-pound title holder Tyron Woodley.
After making the jump up to 185 pounds Gastelum seemed to be presenting himself as a legitimate title threat at both the UFC’s welterweight and middleweight divisions. His recent trials with USADA will certainly take a toll on that momentum.
Gastelum will be eligible to return to action as early as June 11th.
His removal from the UFC 212 PPV sparked a fire under Anderson Silva, who called for an interim middleweight title bout against No. 1-ranked Yoel Romero, and threatened to retire if it wasn’t granted. UFC President Dana White responded by saying that if “The Spider” has retirement on his mind then he probably shouldn’t be in the Octagon anymore.
The middleweight division was in a bit of an awkward position after it was announced that former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre would be coming out of retirement to challenge Michael Bisping for the 185-pound throne. Fighters such as Anderson Silva and Luke Rockhold had expressed displeasure with the Canadian’s immediate title opportunity, but that frustration may have turned into joy in light of recent events.
It was announced yesterday (Fri. May 12, 2017) by Dana White that plans for Bisping vs. “Rush” are now off and that No. 1-ranked Yoel Romero would be getting his rightful title shot. The UFC’s current middleweight division is full of great talent such as Chris Weidman, ‘Jacare’ Souza, Robbert Whittaker, Luke Rockhold, Gegard Mousasi (currently a free agent), and Kelvin Gastelum.
If Gastelum is able to make a statement in his next middleweight bout inside the Octagon, he could be right in the title mix as well.
Former longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva was scheduled to return to action at June 3’s UFC 212 in Brazil against rising contender Kelvin Gastelum, but Gastelum was forced to withdraw from the fight after being flagged by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) for an anti-doping violation. After failing to receive a replacement opponent, Silva
Former longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva was scheduled to return to action at June 3’s UFC 212 in Brazil against rising contender Kelvin Gastelum, but Gastelum was forced to withdraw from the fight after being flagged by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) for an anti-doping violation.
After failing to receive a replacement opponent, Silva recently announced that he had stopped his training camp and that he would no longer be competing at UFC 212. Now, the UFC has officially confirmed this news.
Check out the promotion’s full statement below:
“Following the April 6 removal of Kelvin Gastelum from his UFC 212 bout against Anderson Silva, UFC officials attempted to find a replacement to meet Silva on June 3. However an opponent was not secured to face the former middleweight champion on short notice, prompting his removal from the card at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“Due to Anderson Silva’s withdrawal, customers may request a full refund of their purchased tickets until May 18, 2017.
“To request a refund of a purchase made at the event box office or points of sale, the customer must return to the point of purchase with the original tickets. For credit card transactions, the refund will be credited to credit card statement. For debit card transactions, the refund will be credited to the account linked to the debit card used for the purchase.
“To refund a purchase made online or through the call center, the customer should access atendimento.tudus.com.br, and select the category “Cancellation” and list “UFC 212” as the subject.”
Do you expect to see Silva fight again and if so, who would you like to see him matched up against?
