Belfort admits mistakes in defeat, but guarantees: 'I want to fight Weidman again'

Vitor (photo) also ruled out any chance of retirement. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

More than two weeks have passed since the defeat of Vitor belfort for Chris Weidman at UFC 187, but the setback in the middleweight title fight still continues to give the Brazilian something to talk about. Analyzing the fight, in which he ended up being knocked out in less than three minutes, Vitor admitted to having made some “technical errors”, in his own words, but reaffirmed his desire to face Weidman once again, doing a rematch for the title in the future.

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“When the fight went to the ground, there were technical errors, but I couldn't make any changes. I felt pain in my shoulder and he is a very good guy, he managed to dominate me and I couldn't turn around with both my shoulders on the ground, I couldn't regain my guard. There was a technical error. Now, questioning takes away Weidman's merit. I know that sometimes people make criticisms that we don't really have to pay attention to, they are the voices from the desert that we can't hear. I know everything I did wrong, no one needs to tell me what it was. I know everything that happened. Now, every time I see this fight I say I want to fight him again”, said the “Fenômeno”, in an interview with the “Sensei SporTV” program.

However, even with the dream of sharing the Octagon with his tormentor again, Belfort acknowledged that he is at a disadvantage in the race for a new chance at the title and that other interests could end up delaying his plans. “If I had it my way, we would schedule a rematch. If it were Vitor's way, person. But there is a market, there is an organization, there are rules that are imposed. You have to follow certain things,” he commented.

Finally, Vitor completely ruled out any chance of retirement, although he admitted that the idea crossed his mind shortly after the defeat to Weidman. “Now, thinking better, I don’t think about it (retiring). I am moved by love. If I have the love to do something, if I have the confidence, if I know I can, want it, I want it. Now is the next step, which is to wait, wait. See with the UFC, together with my office, the decisions in common agreement. Today I fight not because I have to, but because I love it. I fight because I like it. Seeing fans telling me not to stop, that I motivate them, I change their lives”, he concluded.

At 38, Vitor belfort He has a professional record of 24 wins and eleven losses. Currently, the Rio native is third in the official middleweight rankings, behind only the champion Chris Weidman, of the next challenger Luke Rockhold and compatriot Ronaldo Jacare.

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