Vitor Belfort stepped into the squared circle on Saturday night for a rematch seven years in the making. Featured on the Gamebred Boxing 4 main card, Belfort clashed with fellow former UFC star Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza. The bout served as Belfort’s second foray into the sweet science having previously scored a first-round knockout against boxing legend Evander Holyfield in September 2021. For Souza, the event would be his first professional boxing bout after exiting the UFC following four straight losses inside the Octagon.
Round 1
Both fighters came out hesitant in the first round. Souza paws with the jab in the early going. Belfort partially lands a right hand. Left hand from Belfort lands. He follows it up with a big left hook that gets a reaction from Souza. Another left from Belfort. Souza’s nose begins to leak as Belfort throws another left. Souza attempts to respond just before the bell sounds.
Round 2
Both fighters once again come out showing patience. Right hand from Belfort and Souza responds with a short left. A big right from Belfort. Souza moves in and rips to the body. They continue fighting in the pocket, throwing big hooks before being separated by the referee. Jab from Belfort followed by a quick 1-2. Souza is showing some slight swelling under his left eye. Souza swings big but misses with the right. Belfort throws a left hook that doesn’t get through. Uppercut from Belfort. They clinch up and as they separate, Souza goes down, but it is ruled a slip as the round comes to a close.
Round 3
Belfort comes out firing in the third working combinations from the outside to set up his big left hand. A short left hand from Belfort staggers Souza and puts him on the canvas for the first knockdown of the fight. Souza opts to continue and swings a big right hook and misses. Belfort lands a left hook and knocks Souza back. Another big left hook from Belfort as Souza ties up. Belfort is beginning to smell blood in the water as Souza continues to evade. And overhand left lands and puts Souza on the canvas once again. Souza gets up at eight and the fight continues. Belfort backs Souza into the corner and begins dropping bombs looking for the finish, but Souza escapes the round.
Round 4
Belfort appears to have a sizable cut just outside of his eye as he comes out for the fourth round. Souza puts on heavy pressure and lands a solid right hand. Souza rips to the body followed by another right. Souza is now coming forward. Belfort throws a looking right hook that lands. Huge left hand from Belfort lands. A short right from Souza and he continues to stay in the clinch. Back-to-back overhand lefts from Belfort. Souza continues to dance around and clinch. Straight right from Souza and Belfort responds with an overhand right. Souza appears to be the fresher fighter despite suffering two knockdowns in the third.
Round 5
Souza comes out and initiates the clinch quickly. Souza is still putting in work on offense as Belfort is clearly slowing down after his especially busy third round. Souza delivers a left and eats one for his trouble. Uppercut from Belfort in the clinch. Souza with a short right hand. A stiff left hand from Belfort is answered by a straight right from Souza. Fighting in the clinch, Souza backs Belfort against the ropes and delivers a series of hooks. Souza is smothering Belfort. Both fighters are exhausted and are content to let the round come to an end.
Round 6
Belfort comes out swinging with a big looking left that Souza sees coming from a mile away. Souza continues to clinch, throwing a flurry of strikes while in close. Stiff 1-2 from Belfort that backs up Souza and as he pursues, Souza fires a straight right that lands hard. A left-right-uppercut combination lands for Souza and Belfort has his opponent staggered. Souza clinches up and continues to work delivering strikes on the inside. 1-2 from Souza and both fighters clinch until the bell sounds.
Official Result: Vitor Belfort def. Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza via unanimous decision (58-54, 58-54, 57-55)
Check Out Highlights From Vitor Belfort vs. Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza at Gamebred Boxing 4 Below:
ANOTHER legend on his way to the ring. Let's see those hands, Jacare!!#GamebredBoxing4 pic.twitter.com/F7nHmzvHrJ
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) April 2, 2023
Seen plenty of knockouts at the hands of Vitor! Does he have another one in him?!#GamebredBoxing4 pic.twitter.com/d54zPyZYMg
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) April 2, 2023
.@vitorbelfort landing heavy shots!
➡️https://t.co/r7K9J6IATS#Gamebredboxing is LIVE on #FITE outside of North & South America. pic.twitter.com/dILY4nKEhx
— TrillerTV (@FiteTV) April 2, 2023
🚨🚨Co-main event time of #gamebredboxing!!!@vitorbelfort vs. @JacareMMA
LIVE on #FITE outside North & South America pic.twitter.com/P612ocS6pX
— TrillerTV (@FiteTV) April 2, 2023
