Fighting can often be a sport of rage. But it's not a rage that should encompass the entirety of someone's existence. At least that's what veteran fighter Vitor Belfort is thinking. "The Phenom" makes his long awaited return to the Octagon on Saturday at UFC 103 against Rich Franklin and you're not going to find a happier, more relaxed guy amongst the 26 fighters on this UFC card.
Belfort was thrust into the spotlight back in 1997 at the age of 19. He rose to the top quickly winning the UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight titles. But it all came too fast for Belfort, who sort of burned out. The fire is back now but not just because of the competition in the cage, Belfort knows who he is and what role fighting plays in his life:
"I know [my fight career] isn't going to take forever. It's a short moment in life. I want to use the platform God's provided for me to show people the values of life, I think a lot of people have that platform, they're not using it the right way. They're using it for their pleasure. I want to make it a better world. I want to use the platform to reach people."
After years of tumult, Belfort sounds like he's geniunely happy and relaxed:
"I cannot wait to perform for the fans and the promoters. You learn with the experience of life. This is your job. Why are you going to be nervous? Why are you going to be anxious? I'm relaxed, I know what I'm capable of doing."
Belfort comes in riding a four-fight win streak including the recent 37-second destruction of Matt Lindland at Affliction 2. He spent the last two months training away from his family in Brazil at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. He exhibited this same calm as he was being yo-yo'd between a Jorge Santiago and Fedor Emelianenko fight back in August. Belfort said he took roughly 10 days off to visit Brazil where he's got a new month old. Beyond that, he's trained the entire time since late June.
