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Editor’s note: This article was originally published on MMAJunkie.com.
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BOCA RATON, Fla. – Vitor Belfort is enjoying his venture in boxing and he’s not looking back.
The former UFC champion sees a return to MMA unlikely and plans to finish out his fighting days in professional boxing. Belfort returns to competition Sept. 11 when he takes on former world champion and boxing Olympic gold medalist Oscar De La Hoya at a Triller event in Los Angeles. It will be Belfort’s second professional boxing match; he debuted in 2006 with a knockout win over Josemario Neves.
Although Belfort has stepped in the boxing ring before, the Brazilian made his fame and legacy fighting in the cage for the UFC and PRIDE.
MMA might hold a dear place in Belfort’s heart, but there are many reasons he has little interest in getting involved with the sport again.
“The answer is that it’s looking like (I’m) not (going to return to MMA),” Belfort told MMA Junkie. “It’s not changing or adapting to what we think it should. The rules are not there for us. They’re not adapting in a way that’s safe for the fighters.
“Right now, fighters are having a short career, and the more violent it is, the shorter it becomes. It’s better for the promoters, not so good for the fighters. Right now, and even (UFC president) Dana White has said it, this is a young man’s sport. But guess what? I’ll box any champion in MMA and I can beat them up in a boxing match.”
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