WATCH! Vitor Belfort DOMINATES in pro MMA debut 19 years ago

Regardless of what opinions fans have of Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort, there is no doubt that he is worthy of a spot in the UFC’s Hall of Fame when he decides to hang up his gloves. The Brazilian made his dive into the professional world of mixed martial arts nineteen years ago on October 11, 1996. Belfort clobbered and dominated Jon Hess, and you can relive that historic moment in the video below!

Oct11.1996 19 years ago today, A young @VitorBelfort made his professional MMA debut, & knocked out Jon Hess pic.twitter.com/GsS5xFvHGN

— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) October 11, 2015

Belfort’s rise to the top was quick as he made his way to the octagon just a few months later and won the UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament when he knocked out Scott Ferrozzo in the finals. After defeating Tank Abbot in an exhibition match, Belfort would lose to Randy Couture in a UFC heavyweight title eliminator that would ignite a mini-feud between the two legends.

Belfort and Couture met again at UFC 46 where “The Phenom” got the better of “The Natural” when his glove cut Couture’s eye, causing the fight to be stopped. Belfort won the UFC Light Heavyweight Title in controversial fashion that night, but he failed to defend the title seven months later in a rematch.

What is your favorite Belfort moment, and do you think he can make another run at the title? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!