Belfort announces retirement after loss to Machida in Rio
Brazilian MMA legend Vitor Belfort left his gloves in the Octagon in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night, retiring after a loss to countryman Lyoto Machida via first-round knockout at UFC 224.
"Life is about beginnings and ends. I think I've come to an end," said Belfort after the loss.
Belfort, 41, is a former UFC light heavyweight champion and middleweight contender who retires with a 26-14 (1 no contest) record.
From all of the UFC and all of our fans, thank you @VitorBelfort for a lifetime of memories. #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/vbpdnbOYMF
— UFC (@ufc) May 13, 2018
Belfort ends his career suffering knockouts in five of his last seven fights (one was overturned to a no contest). He warned about the announcement earlier in the week, telling media this would be his last fight, though the Brazilian also says he could be coaxed back into the cage for a fight with Fedor Emelianenko.