Vitor Belfort to Be Enshrined in UFC Hall of Fame’s 'Pioneer Wing'

Vitor Belfort was in tears after being named to the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame 👏 #UFC315 pic.twitter.com/CcGzt1MjiY

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 11, 2025

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort will be enshrined in the promotion’s Hall of Fame this summer.

Belfort will be the 20th member of the Pioneer Wing, which includes athletes who turned pro before Nov. 17, 2000, are at least 35 years old and have been retired for one year or more. The induction ceremony will take place on June 26 at T-Mobile Arena as part of International Fight Week and will stream on UFC Fight Pass.

“Vitor Belfort was 19 years when he was signed by UFC and he quickly made an impact by becoming the youngest athlete to win a UFC fight, and UFC tournament,” said UFC CEO Dana White. “Vitor was a pioneer of the sport and is definitely a UFC legend. It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”

Belfort compiled a 26-14 record over the course of a career that began in 1996. He won the UFC heavyweight tournament by scoring first-round stoppages of Tra Telligman and Scott Ferrozzo in 1997. “The Phenom” captured light heavyweight gold with a doctor stoppage win over Randy Couture at UFC 46 in January 2004, though he would lose the belt to “The Natural” one fight later.

In addition to two stints in the UFC, Belfort also competed for organizations such as Pride Fighting Championships, Strikeforce and Afflication during his fighting career. The Brazilian owns notable wins over the likes of Couture, Wanderlei Silva, Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping, Dan Henderson, Luke Rockhold and Nate Marquardt, among others. Belfort owns UFC records for most first-round finishes (13) and most knockouts in 90 seconds or less (10). He finished 18 of his pro triumphs inside of a round.