UFC legend Vitor Belfort’s retirement fight will come against another Brazilian star in Lyoto Machida at UFC 224 on May 12th in Rio and the 40-year-old has issued a statement explaining why he chose ‘The Dragon’ to be his final opponent.
“I’m over 20 years being relevant in this sport,” Belfort wrote on Instagram. “I broke a lot barriers and paved the way for a generation after me. I am one of the pioneers of the sport and I’m proud it it.
“I could not walk into the octagon for the last time without sending a relevant message to the: athletes, fans and to the sport itself.
“That is the reason why I chose to fight a friend of mine. An athlete that I have a lot respect. A good person a family man. I’m against the so famous “trash talk”. MMA is a sport! A sport that myself and a lot of family men work really hard to support our families. Lyoto and I have known each other for many years, I know his family and we have trained together.
“I wanted this fight to take place in Brazil because that is where everything started and now it’s time for us to send another message to the world. And the message is: RESPECT!
“May 12th @lyotomachidafw and I will step into the octagon as professionals and we still be friends. Always respecting each other and the way we will do that is giving our best in the octagon. I want people to understand that you don’t have to be a bully to be a fighter, you have to be a real man. And that is exactly what the world is in need, real man willing to pay the price to make a difference.”
