...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Vitor Belfort's first fight in a year and a half didn't go well for him, as he was beaten up badly by UFC Champ Chris Weidman at UFC 187.
The 38-year-old had what is almost assuredly his last stand as a title contender in the sport, but after 19 years as an active competitor, he's not sure exactly what his next move will be.
"It was a long ride. I'm happy, but I'm very frustrated," Belfort said at the post-fight press conference. "I think next is just reset; we need to reset. It was a very tough night for me. I didn't expect it to go the way it [did].
"I saw my finish, but he's the champion. He took it. He was the better man tonight, and that's where it is. Just go back and talk to my family, and see where [we're at]. I'm very happy, having a life beyond the Octagon is great. That's what keeps me here and motivates me, so we'll see what's next. No [it's not the end], it's just enjoy the moment. I grind for one year and a half, now I have business and I have my family, and I'll just enjoy my life a little bit and see what's next."
Penick's Analysis: It wouldn't surprise me if Belfort winds up deciding not to come back, but it seems he's just going to take some time off, unwind, then make a determination from there. At 38-years-old, I don't know how much longer he wants to compete, but I don't think another title run is going to be in his future, so it's a matter of what fights are available to him, what the UFC is interested in booking, and what he feels works for him.
DON'T GO YET... WE SUGGEST THESE MMATORCH ARTICLES, TOO!
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
Interested in joining MMATorch's writing team? Send idea for a theme to your column (for Specialist section) or area of interest (i.e. TV Reporter) along with a sample of writing to mmatorch@gmail.com.