Sherdog’s Top 10: Phenoms

Vitor Belfort was the original phenom. | Photo: Marcelo Alonso/Sherdog.com

2. Vitor Belfort

Belfort was MMA’s first true phenom and a harbinger of things to come. All the way back in 1996, the 19-year-old Belfort blasted his way into popular consciousness and cornered once and for all the “Phenom” nickname that he carries to this day.

The Brazilian represented something entirely new when he first appeared on the scene. His Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills had been honed under the legendary Carlson Gracie Sr., but unlike most of his grappling-first compatriots, Belfort combined that skill on the mat with vicious knockout power and a modicum of boxing skill on the feet. Even more important, however, Belfort was the first truly elite physical specimen to come into MMA, a marvel of athleticism, strength and unreal speed that the lumbering heavyweights of the day simply could not match. Scott Ferrozzo, Tra Telligman and David “Tank” Abbott fell beneath his fists, and only the venerable Randy Couture halted his rise to stardom.

Since then, Belfort has had many different careers. He was a dominating if less than exciting wrestler and top-control specialist for a while in Pride Fighting Championships and then reinvented himself as “the old Vitor” when he returned to the UFC and opened up a cavernous cut on Marvin Eastman in 2003. He lost himself a bit when he returned to Pride and then went to Strikeforce in the middle of the decade but rediscovered his aggressiveness and power just in time for another run in the UFC.

Belfort will fight Chris Weidman for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 187, more than 18 years after debuting in the promotion. That is the equivalent of Max Holloway, himself a youthful talent who first fought in the UFC at 19, fighting for a UFC title in 2030. The Brazilian’s longevity is incredible, as is his historical contribution as MMA’s first true phenom.

Number 1 » He broke the curve for every fighter who will ever try his or her hand at the sport. He made it to the UFC less than four months after debuting as a professional and won a title less than three years after his first professional bout; and by winning the light heavyweight championship at 23, he remains the youngest fighter to ever hold UFC gold. There is a real chance that last accomplishment will never be matched.