The retired Brazilian veteran, whose UFC career kicked off when he was just a teenager, will be inducted into the Pioneer Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame this summer at the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame ceremony during UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas.
Belfort will be the 20th fighter to enter the Pioneer wing, which is open to athletes who turned professional before November 17, 2000 (the date that the Unified Rules of mixed martial arts were adopted). Fighters also must be aged 35 and over, or retired for one year or more.
Belfort’s career saw him capture the UFC’s heavyweight tournament at UFC 12 as he defeated Tre Telligman and Scott Ferrozzo, both via first round TKO, to win the tournament at just 19 years of age.
He later became a bonafide UFC world champion with his defeat of Randy Couture at UFC 46 seeing Belfort crowned UFC light heavyweight champion.
His career also boasts a highlight reel few other fighters can match, including notable finishes of Wanderlei Silva, Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold, and Dan Henderson.
A video package aired during UFC 315 in Montreal to officially announce Belfort’s induction, and the man himself shed a tear from Octagonside as the fans gave hum a huge ovation.
“Vitor Belfort was 19 years when he was signed by UFC and he quickly made an impact by becoming the youngest athlete to win a UFC fight, and UFC tournament,” said UFC president and CEO Dana White.
“Vitor was a pioneer of the sport and is definitely a UFC legend. It will be an honour to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”
