Vitor Belfort is unquestionably the biggest Brazilian star in his home land, he’s been fighting and proudly flying the Brazilian flag since the early stages of the sport. After years of thrilling fights, being on reality television in Brazil and marrying Playboy cover-girl Joana Prado he is one of the most recognizable people in the entire country.
The partisan crowd blew the lid off the HSBC Arena in Rio De Janero, Brazil in support of their hero despite being in the early hours of the morning when he faced Anthony Johnson who unprofessionally missed weight for the third time and putting his octagon career in major jeopardy.
Johnson looked to implement his wrestling game on Belfort early putting him on his back on three separate occasions but the pressure of 16,000 screaming Brazilians got to referee Dan Miragiliotta who reset both men on their feet quickly despite the NCAA Division I wrestler working on the floor.
With less than a minute on the clock Johnson shot for yet another takedown which was stuffed by “The Phenom” who quickly transitioned to the back of his opponent sinking in a rear-naked-choke.
This marked the first submission victory for the proud Brazilian since he choked ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ season one veteran Bobby Southworth all the way back in 2001.
Here’s what they had to say post-fight:
VITOR BELFORT:
“I didn’t stop the entire fight. He kept trying to take me down and I kept fighting it. ‘Make him quit.’ That was my goal and I did just that. I had the whole country (of Brazil) behind me and I could feel it in there tonight. Next to God and my family, my fans are one of the most important things to me. Rio, America, all over….I love my fans.”
ANTHONY JOHNSON:
“A loss is a loss. My legs just got really tired. I didn’t get beat up in there and he really didn’t hurt me with what he hit me with. I just got tired. I’ve got to figure this thing out.”
