Mixed martial arts legend Vitor Belfort put on his final octagon performance over the weekend. Now it would appear that “The Phenom” was injured ahead of the momentous match up.
Belfort faced off against fellow former UFC title holder Lyoto Machida on the live pay-per-view main card of UFC 224 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 12. Machida ultimately earned a stunning knockout victory over Belfort.
Belfort placed his gloves in the center of the octagon after the match up and announced his retirement from the sport. As reported by Combate, Belfort suffered an injury to his left knee during camp ahead of the fight.
Taking to Instagram, Belfort later offered an update on the situation. Check it out below:
“With the intention to be as honest as I can be with my fans and specially with my opponent, I will go straight to the point.
The injured that happened with me during the training camp somehow made the news.
“My team nor I had mentioned before, during or after the fight.
Winning or losing, fighting injured or not; it is part of an athlete’s life. I’m not the first one nor will be the last one athlete to fight injured. Even though all the limitations imposed to me because of the injured I suffered. It is my decision to step into the octagon or not.
And I decided to do it!
“I did not want to miss the chance to have my last fight at the UFC; in my country, my hometown and with a such respected opponent.
I gave my best on the fight and my opponent was the better man that night.
“And this is what counts!
Nothing that happened with me during the training camp takes anything away from his victory. Of course wasn’t the outcome I wished for. Not because of the defeat, because we can’t control the outcome. What bothers me is knowing that I performed bellow of what I know that I can.
“I literally grew up in the cage, I was wrought to be a fighter, to leave it all in the cage… and this teachings I brought to all the aspects of my life. Dedicated every minute, every second doing the best you can in whatever you’re committed to.
To the ones genuinely concerned with me, I will tell you this: I feel like an injured Lion.
“To the haters and envious, I will tell you this: I might be injured, BUT I’M STILL A LION!
See you all very soon…”
