Vitor Belfort’s UFC deal won’t end at UFC 212

RIO DE JANEIRO -- It turns out that Vitor Belfort’s upcoming bout with Nate Marquardt is not the last one on his current deal with the UFC.

Moments after his loss to Kelvin Gastelum in March, “The Phenom” told the media at the post-fight press conference in Fortaleza, Brazil, that he hoped to fight the last fight of his deal with the promotion on June 3 in Rio de Janeiro.

However, Brazilian website Combate reported and MMA Fighting confirmed that Belfort still has one fight left on his deal after facing Marquardt.

Belfort (25-13) enters UFC 212 on a three-fight winless streak, getting knocked out by Ronaldo Souza, Gegard Mousasi and Kelvin Gastelum. His most recent loss, though, was overturned to a no-contest after Gastelum tested positive for marijuana.

Back in March, Belfort said his fight in June would be his last because his body couldn’t take it anymore, but recently mentioned his desire to continue competing after UFC 212.

“It's time to end this chapter as a professional fighter,” Belfort said in March. “My body is not the same anymore for training. It’s too much pain. I did more than 14 surgeries. I left everything in the Octagon. I’m sad because I didn’t give the win to my fellow Brazilians, but it happens.”