Vitor Belfort MMAMemories.com Exclusive Biofile Published by Scoop Malinowski Last Updated on March 8th, 2008

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STATUS: Former UFC Light Heavyweight contender.

HT: 6-0 WT: 210

BORN ON: April 1, 1977 IN: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

CHILDHOOD HEROES: “Zico the soccer player. I had Mike Tyson. I had Evander Holyfield.”

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “My hobbies? Play football, volleyball, surf and movies. And I like to spend time with my family, my friends and my dogs. Stay in my house with my friends.”

FAVORITE MOVIE: “Braveheart.”

NICKNAMES: The Phenom, The Brazilian Phenom, Vichino, Little Victor.

FAVORITE MEAL: “Pasta and steak.”

FAVORITE BREAKFAST CEREAL: “Granola.”

FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR: “Vanilla.”

PRE-FIGHT FEELING: “A lot of things, you know? Just think, I gotta go and do my job. And go ahead and fight and get off. And have fun. (Do you visualize?) Yeah, fight smart. (Look at your opponent upon entering the Octagon?) Yes. Focus.”

PRE-FIGHT MEAL: “Carbohydrates for energy. Pasta, potato, banana – those kinds of foods.”

FUNNY FIGHTING MEMORY: “I don’t remember. No funny. Always serious.”

CHILDHOOD DREAM:”To be a champion.”

EARLY FIGHTING MEMORY: “My first fight as a kid, I don’t remember if I won or lost. So long ago. I just remember always training hard.”

FIRST JOB: “Fighter. In Hawaii (age 18).”

FIRST CAR: “I don’t remember.”

GREATEST SPORTS MOMENT: “When I won the UFC Heavyweight Championship (’97). Right after. Feel so good. Beat Tre Telligman and Scott Ferrozzo same day. Knockout. Right in the beginning. I was surprised with my performance. I set my aim without worrying about the damage. I dodge Telligman’s attack and start my sequence. Mike Tyson phoned me to congratulate me in my performance. So did Don King.”

MOST PAINFUL MOMENT: “When I lost to Randy Couture (’97). The judge called it a knockout. I train very hard for that fight. He hit me with one good shot to the chin that dazed me. But anyone can get knocked out. It was a lucky punch, but a good one.”

FAVORITE ATHLETES TO WATCH: “Michael Jordan. Ronaldo, the soccer player. Gustavo Kuerten in tennis. I don’t like golf or baseball. Kevin Randleman. I like him. I like his fight style. Acelino Freitas (WBA and WBO Super Featherweight) boxing champion from Brazil.”

PEOPLE MOST ADMIRED: “I like people with a good personality.”

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: “The beach in Rio.”

WORST INJURY: “My elbow. I was training and bust it in the mirror. Big disappointment, because I was training like a monster (for the fight with Tito Ortiz scheduled last year). And everything was going well. It was really deep cut. I could see my bone.”