Vitor Belfort says he was working on ONE Championship debut before pandemic, explains reason for lengthy break

Vitor Belfort’s next bout was in the works before the world came to a halt.

The veteran and former UFC champion was looking to resume his fighting career and debut for ONE Championship before the coronavirus pandemic hit. The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced many non-essential businesses around the globe to suspend operations including ONE Championship, which is based in Singapore.

Belfort (26-14 MMA) had the wheels turning for a comeback competing at heavyweight.

“So my agent has been taking to Chatri (Sityodtong) to finalize a fight, but then all of this came along,” Belfort told MMA Junkie. “It’s crazy. Everything is put on hold, but I’m definitely looking forward to step back into action and bring something (new), reinvent myself again. I think that will be the last time and for sure, I’m excited to go back to action.”

The Brazilian star signed with ONE Championship in March 2019, but the last time Belfort was seen in the cage was in May 2018, when he suffered a knockout loss to Lyoto Machida in Brazil. It was Belfort’s final bout with the UFC.

Belfort said the break was much needed since it helped him get over the feeling of being burned out from the sport.

“‘I don’t want to be like my last four fights,” Belfort said. “I was fighting with injuries. I wasn’t happy. The situation is not what I wanted at the time, and I think now I kind of enjoy it. I was waiting for the moment, that thing to light up again. Everyone has their time. People get busy, people get complacent, and my thing is more that I didn’t want to fight out of need. I want to fight out of will, and I’m in the right place right now, at a place of happiness.”

Belfort plans to make his return to fighting different from what fans are use to seeing. “The Phenom” didn’t reveal the details of his plan, but said he’s working with ONE Championship in doing something outside of traditional fights, hinting at an alteration to the rules of MMA or the sport itself.

“I’m interested in doing something out of the box,” Belfort said. “Everyone is doing something and people get burned out of fights. People don’t know what to watch, where to pay, what to pay attention to, but really what draws people are personalities. …

“I’m really interested in bringing something that people makes people go, ‘Oh my God, where did that come from?’ So that’s were me and ONE are coming together, trying to do something that’s really going to draw the attention and bring a unique product to the market place. …

“When I can reveal anything, I promise we’re going to do a release here with you guys. I promise.”

Check out the full conversation with Belfort in the video below.