Vitor Belfort's Hall of Fame induction announcement at UFC 315 draws mixed reaction from the MMA community: "Steroid cheat"

Vitor Belfort is a unique fighter in MMA, being one of the few athletes to have competed in the UFC over three different decades. The Brazilian made his promotional debut at UFC 12 in 1997, with his final fight coming at UFC 225 in 2018. The former light heavyweight fighter is widely regarded as one of the most legendary fighters in MMA history.

However, the UFC's decision to induct Belfort into the Hall of Fame at UFC 315 has drawn a mixed bag of reactions from fans. Several fans were quick to mention the period of his career when he used performance-enhancing drugs.

Infamously known as 'TRT Vitor', the Brazilian used testosterone replacement therapy for a portion of his MMA career in 2013. The brutality and explosiveness with which 'TRT Vitor' won his bouts have become the stuff of legend, but in reality, he competed while using PEDs, which some fans have not forgotten.

During the UFC 315 broadcast, they announced his induction into the Hall of Fame, with the promotion posting on X:

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"A name we won't forget"

Check out the UFC's post about Vitor Belfort below:

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@RealWorldSport reacted saying:

"Letting a steroid cheat into the hall of fame is definitely a choice"

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Another fan wrote:

"TRT Belfort was unmatched"

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Other fans wrote:

"Yeah let's encourage steroid use and cheating!"

"An icon of the early days with hands like thunder. Vitor Belfort helped shape the sport and now his name is etched in UFC history. Well deserved."

"Really??? A drug cheat?? What a disgrace"

"Pioneer, and I can actually say I trained with him at PB and other bad*ss fighters. Congrats brother"

"One of the greatest fighters on steroids."

"Why not do this in Vegas... Maybe some olf school fighters would have been there to congratulate him."

Check out more comments below:

Belfort's MMA career will forever be etched in history, and his performances are some of the most unforgettable in the sport. For better or for worse, the Brazilian will be remembered.

About the author

Liam is a MMA and Boxing writer at Sportskeeda. His journey into MMA journalism began with a high school diploma in 2017, but his passion for writing led him to diverse experiences, including internships in research and writing roles and accounting work.

Liam's fascination with MMA was sparked by Conor McGregor, with Dustin Poirier's bout against Dan Hooker in 2020 sealing his love for the sport. Poirier remains Liam's favorite fighter, whom he admires for his attitude, fighting style, and persona both inside and outside the cage. He is an advocate for the removal of the 12-6 elbow rule in MMA.

Liam strives to report precise and relevant information by cross-checking his work, reaching out to relevant sources for comments, and adhering to Sportskeeda's guidelines. His work has been recognized on popular MMA platforms, with his article headlines featuring in YouTube recaps and appearing onscreen during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.

Outside of work, Liam enjoys playing cricket, practising Brazilian jiu-jitsu, cooking, music, and reading.

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Edited by Jigyanshushri Mahanta