Vitor Belfort entered his UFC 187 middleweight title challenge against Chris Weidman in 2015 believing he would become the promotion's first simultaneous three-division champion, even releasing commemorative T-shirts to that effect. Belfort had won five of his last six fights by finish but was knocked out by Weidman after a competitive start to the bout. The piece draws a parallel to Alex Pereira's current bid to become UFC's second three-belt champion, noting that Pereira, like Belfort at UFC 187, is 38 years old — though unlike Belfort, Pereira enters as the favorite.
Vitor Belfort came within one fight of making UFC history a decade ago, entering his middleweight title challenge against Chris Weidman at UFC 187 in 2015 so confident of victory that he released commemorative T-shirts celebrating what he believed would be a landmark three-division championship reign.
Belfort, now 49, carried a 26-14 record across his career and was riding a strong stretch heading into that bout, having won five of his previous six fights by finish. The Brazilian southpaw, standing six feet tall with a 74-inch reach, was a proven finisher throughout his career. Weidman, however, proved to be a different challenge. The Long Island native, now 42, holds a 16-8 record and was a technically well-rounded champion capable of both striking and grappling, averaging 3.27 takedowns per 15 minutes. After a competitive opening to the fight, Weidman stopped Belfort by knockout, ending the dream before it could be realized.
The story resurfaces now because of an obvious parallel unfolding in the present day. Alex Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion, is currently pursuing what would make him the UFC's second simultaneous three-division titleholder. Notably, Pereira is also 38 years old — the same age Belfort was at UFC 187.
Why it matters
- Belfort's 2015 attempt is the clearest historical precedent for Pereira's current three-belt pursuit
- Pereira enters his bid as the favorite, a contrast to Belfort's position heading into UFC 187
- Pereira carries elite finishing credentials, averaging 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy — numbers that set him apart from most champions in UFC history
- The Brazilian connection adds another layer, with both fighters sharing the same nationality and a similarly aggressive finishing style
