Focused Belfort Ready for UFC Run

UFC 103 in Dallas marks the return of Vitor Belfort. The former UFC light heavyweight champion hasn’t been inside the Octagon since a split-decision loss to Tito Ortiz at UFC 51 in February of 2005.

Riding a four-fight win streak, Belfort looks to continue his run against former middleweight champion Rich Franklin.

“Now to be back, I have an opportunity again. I thank God every day. The bible said the glory of the second house is bigger than the first. That’s the way to see and that’s the way to grab it,” said Belfort. “I always wanted to go back. I made a mistake in the past. To leave the UFC, it wasn’t a smart move.“

Belfort has gone through many ups and downs in his personal and professional life. When Belfort loses, he is perceived as the “New Vitor,” who doesn’t have the talent that earned him the name “Phenom.” When Belfort is successful -- like in his last bout with Matt Lindland -- he is “The Old Vitor.”

Fighting talent aside, Belfort said he is a different person.

“My identity is not in fighting. Some people their Identity is fighting. Everything about the belt or their performance. My identity I have in God. And God’s decided which path I am going to take. And I know this is not going to take forever. This is just a short moment in life.”

The bout with Franklin is at a catch-weight of 195 pounds, but Belfort has his eyes set on a run in the UFC’s middleweight division. However, Anderson Silva isn’t the ultimate goal however for Belfort. The Xtreme Couture fighter says he is now fighting to make a difference.

“I want to use the platform that God’s going to provide for me. To just show people values in life, things that can last forever. Things you can accomplish in people’s life. I think a lot of people have their platform. Not just athletes, but businessmen and teachers,” declared Belfort. “They’re not using it the right way. They’re just using it for their pleasure. I don’t want to use it only for my pleasure. [Fighting] is my job, that’s the way I make my living. But, I want to make it a better world.”