Farewell to the Phenomenon: Personalities pay homage to Vitor Belfort

V. Belfort's retirement was covered up by the knockout. (Photo: Reproduction/ Facebook UFC)

After 22 years of work, the career of one of the biggest names in MMA, Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort, ended on Saturday (12). The Brazilian was a pioneer of the sport, he trained in MMA when it was still called vale tudo. The stories of Belfort and the UFC are intertwined, and if Ultimate is the biggest MMA event in the world, it owes a lot to him.

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VIDEO: Watch Lyoto Machida's knockout over Vitor Belfort

The personalities took to their social networks to pay tribute to Vitor after UFC 224:

Lyoto Machida:

After having rested a little from yesterday's fight, I want to say again that I am very happy with the victory that came. I respect Vitor a lot, it was an honor to fight with him.

But I also want to take advantage of… https://t.co/KieBo5QLd6

— Lyoto Machida (@lyotomachidafw) 13 May 2018

UFC President Dana White:

Thank you @vitorbelfort pic.twitter.com/QcxBcWBGgX

- Dana White (@danawhite) 13 May 2018

Dana: “Thank you Vitor”.

Cezar Mutant, mentored by Belfort:

No matter how last night ended, you, @vitorbelfort, did a lot for the sport, inside and outside of it... you helped many people to leave behind anonymity and live their dreams, including me. Thank you very much for everything you did for our sport!!!! Thank you very much for blessing my life my friend. We will always be together .

A publication shared by Cezar Mutant (@cezarmutant) on May 13, 2018 at 8:20 am PDT

Aljamin Sterling, UFC bantamweight fighter:

I truly can't see Vitor go out like that again. I hope he finds some peace in his legendary career and finally hangs em up. #Legend #UFC224

— aljamain sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) 13 May 2018

aljamain sterling: “I really can’t see Vitor go out like this again. I hope he finds some peace in his legendary career.”

Alan Joubain, UFC welterweight fighter:

Respect that @vitorbelfort!! @ufc

- Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) 13 May 2018

Brian ortega, UFC featherweight fighter:

@vitorbelfort thank you for your contribution to the MMA. What you have done for MMA is amazing.

— Brian ortega (@BrianTcity) 13 May 2018

Brian ortega"Vitor belfort Thank you for your contribution to MMA. What you did for MMA is incredible.”

UFC bantamweight fighter, Zingano cat:

Thank you @vitorbelfort 🙏🏼

— Alpha Zingano cat (@CatZingano) 13 May 2018

Zingano cat: “Thank you Vitor”.

Luiz Carlos Dorea, boxing and mixed martial arts trainer:

Simply incredible! Congratulations to the great champion @lyotomachidafw!! @vitorbelfort You have our respect and admiration for everything you did for the MMA world, you will leave a great legacy!! pic.twitter.com/hrY7pZzjWW

— LUIZ DÓREA (@Luiz_Dorea) 13 May 2018

Rafinha Bastos, comedian and journalist:

Machida wins by goal kick. Belfort retiring. Beautiful career… since UFC 5 on the road. pic.twitter.com/xhK0C59Atb

— Rafinha Bastos (@rafinhabastos) 13 May 2018