Lyoto Machida sent Vitor Belfort into retirement at UFC 224, and ‘The Phenom’ went out on his shield.
At UFC 224 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday, Vitor Belfort expected to head off into retirement. It’s safe to say, however, that he probably didn’t expect to head on down that dusty trail while unconscious. Lyoto Machida had other plans at UFC 224, however. And is often the case, the MMA Gods were cruel. A man known later in his career for head kick knockouts was himself knocked out by a kick to the head.
This time, it was a front face kick landed by Machida, shades of his bout with Randy Couture in Toronto all those years ago. That fight sent Couture into retirement, minus a tooth. It was also reminiscent of Anderson Silva’s finish of Belfort several years back. Only this time, Steven Segal likely won’t take credit (we hope).
In any case, Machida’s finish of Belfort was stunning. Earth shaking. Not at all what Belfort had hoped for — but perhaps this will convince the former light heavyweight champion, who first fought in the UFC at just 19 years old, that retirement is indeed the correct decision.
How did Belfort’s fellow pros react to the finish? Lets take a look!
One last time for @VitorBelfort. #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/fmf12qTa16
— UFC (@ufc) May 13, 2018
Lyoto Machida knocks Vitor Belfort out cold! 🐲 #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/3Nqcdn9MEE
— Alex Scaffidi (@alex_scaffidi) May 13, 2018
The Phenom
The Legend@VitorBelfort
👏👏 pic.twitter.com/P3ZtC2imFr— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 13, 2018
It's crazy to think Belfort/Machida has never happened before, but man, how amazing is it that we get to witness this now. 👏🏻👏🏻 #UFC224
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) May 13, 2018
Vitor reppin' Tristar, with Firas in his corner. Got to support my homies here, but don't know how confident I am. #UFC224
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) May 13, 2018
The Phenom. Much respect. @vitorbelfort pic.twitter.com/F7SmMlgu5Y
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) May 13, 2018
I have @lyotomachidafw winning this first round. @vitorbelfort standing up in the corner seems to be in shape. @ufc
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) May 13, 2018
FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) May 13, 2018
Take a bow @LyotoMachidaFW #UFC224 #Respect pic.twitter.com/tJgbU45FXb
— UFC Aus/New Zealand (@UFC_AUSNZ) May 13, 2018
Oh my god!!!!! 😱😱 @lyotomachidafw way to keep the cool after the fight. Love that. @ufc
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) May 13, 2018
Twice. Jesus. #UFC224
— Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) May 13, 2018
Omg Machida!!! #ufc224
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) May 13, 2018
Oh. My. Gosh!!! I legit just got goosebumps 😱😱😱 #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/i19AgxXvIP
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) May 13, 2018
I truly can’t see Vitor go out like that again. I hope he finds some peace in his legendary career and finally hangs em up. #Legend #UFC224
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) May 13, 2018
Damn… #karatekid just finished it. #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/nYEwuHmzet
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) May 13, 2018
So, over/under on how many months until Vitor is in Bellator? 🤔🤔🤔 #ufc224
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) May 13, 2018
Whattt!! #UFC224 @lyotomachidafw
— Cortney Casey (@CastIron_Casey) May 13, 2018
Respect 👍🏼💪🏼👊🏼
— Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) May 13, 2018
I LOVE MACHIDA 🙏🏻 #karate @lyotomachidafw @ufc #UFC224
— Alex Chambers (@alexchambersmma) May 13, 2018
That was a nasty finish by Machida! Whew #UFC224
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) May 13, 2018
#UFC224 pic.twitter.com/8YFoqgX8wA
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) May 13, 2018
Damn. That's the second time Vitor has been knocked out that way 😬@ufc
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) May 13, 2018
So glad to see Machida back to his winning ways but damn, it's so so sad to see Belfort go out like that. Thank you for an amazing career 👏🏻👏🏻 #ThePhenom #UFC224
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) May 13, 2018
What a career @vitorbelfort
Much respect to you and everything you have accomplished in the @ufc
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) May 13, 2018
Machida just hit a KO as gangster as the one he hit against Bader. #OneShotOneKill And for Belfort who has had a rollercoaster ride in this sport, one thing can’t be denied, he is a pioneer and a legend.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) May 13, 2018
@vitorbelfort thank you for your contribution to the MMA . What you have done for MMA is amazing.
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) May 13, 2018
2 legends. Such a beautiful kick by @lyotomachidafw
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) May 13, 2018
I can’t either. But I want him to get back on the gear, get those traps back up to the back of his ears then go to RIZIN. 🤷🏻♂️
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) May 13, 2018
Thank you for all of the great fights @vitorbelfort #ufc224
— Jessica Penne (@JessicaPenne) May 13, 2018
What’s front kick!!! The 🐉 is back @lyotomachidafw
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) May 13, 2018
