A UFC send off has been a long time coming for Vitor Belfort. The Phenom had been fighting for 20 years.

Vitor Belfort.

UFC debut: February 1997 👀
UFC retirement fight: May 2018 🙌

The final walkout of a legend. #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/veNDXw9ANz

— #UFCChile: Maia vs. Usman on BT Sport (@btsportufc) May 13, 2018

However most of us at home watching were unaware Belfort was injured severely enough to be recommended to pull out of the agreed fight in his homeland of Brazil.
Combate reported yesterday that ‘The Phenom’ suffered a knee injury during the first week of his training camp for UFC 224.

He went on to ignore his doctors’ advice and went on to fight Machida at the Jeunesse Arena in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Vitor wrote:

With the intention to be as honest as I can be with my fans and specially with my opponent, I will go straight to the point.
The injured that happened with me during the training camp somehow made the news.
My team nor I had mentioned before, during or after the fight.
Winning or losing, fighting injured or not; it is part of an athlete’s life. I’m not the first one nor will be the last one athlete to fight injured. Even though all the limitations imposed to me because of the injured I suffered. It is my decision to step into the octagon or not.
And I decided to do it!
I did not want to miss the chance to have my last fight at the UFC; in my country, my hometown and with a such respected opponent.
I gave my best on the fight and my opponent was the better man that night.
And this is what counts!
Nothing that happened with me during the training camp takes anything away from his victory.
Of course wasn’t the outcome I wished for. Not because of the defeat, because we can’t control the outcome. What bothers me is knowing that I performed bellow of what I know that I can.
I literally grew up in the cage, I was wrought to be a fighter, to leave it all in the cage… and this teachings I brought to all the aspects of my life. Dedicated every minute, every second doing the best you can in whatever you’re committed to.
To the ones genuinely concerned with me, I will tell you this: I feel like an injured Lion.
To the haters and envious, I will tell you this: I might be injured, BUT I’M STILL A LION!
See you all very soon…

With the intention to be as honest as I can be with my fans and specially with my opponent, I will go straight to the point. The injured that happened with me during the training camp somehow made the news. My team nor I had mentioned before, during or after the fight. Winning or losing, fighting injured or not; it is part of an athlete’s life. I’m not the first one nor will be the last one athlete to fight injured. Even though all the limitations imposed to me because of the injured I suffered. It is my decision to step into the octagon or not. And I decided to do it! I did not want to miss the chance to have my last fight at the UFC; in my country, my hometown and with a such respected opponent. I gave my best on the fight and my opponent was the better man that night. And this is what counts! Nothing that happened with me during the training camp takes anything away from his victory. Of course wasn’t the outcome I wished for. Not because of the defeat, because we can’t control the outcome. What bothers me is knowing that I performed bellow of what I know that I can. I literally grew up in the cage, I was wrought to be a fighter, to leave it all in the cage… and this teachings I brought to all the aspects of my life. Dedicated every minute, every second doing the best you can in whatever you’re committed to. To the ones genuinely concerned with me, I will tell you this: I feel like an injured Lion. To the haters and envious, I will tell you this: I might be injured, BUT I’M STILL A LION! See you all very soon…

A post shared by Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort (@vitorbelfort) on May 17, 2018 at 1:11pm PDT

Quem disse que um raio não atinge o mesmo lugar duas vezes…🤔 Todo meu respeito ao @lyotomachidafw . Who said a lightning doesn’t strike at the same place twice…🤔 All my respect to @lyotomachidafw .

A post shared by Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort (@vitorbelfort) on May 13, 2018 at 11:13am PDT

Even though it was not customary to do interviews post fight with the knocked out party, Belfort gladly said his goodbye and left his gloves in the octagon.

"Everything in life has a beginning, middle and end…"

Vitor Belfort calls time on a legendary career 👏 #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/rdKV1FrVUF

— #UFCChile: Maia vs. Usman on BT Sport (@btsportufc) May 13, 2018