Despite reports, Vitor Belfort says he's not retiring: 'The Phenom' is back

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort isn’t hanging up the gloves just yet, despite what you may have read.

MMAjunkie today confirmed with “The Phenom” what an Instagram post some took to serve as a retirement announcement was nothing of the sort.

“I’m not retired,” Belfort said emphatically. “I want to fight again soon.

“I am driven to get back on my feet and honor the nickname I so proudly carry. ‘The Phenom’ is back.”

Belfort, who’s currently ranked No. 10 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings, fought this past weekend at UFC 204, losing to Gegard Mousasi in the night’s co-main event in England.

Today, Belfort took to Instagram to reveal his career intentions.

Quem não conhecesse os seus erros não é digno de liderar a si mesmo, quanto mais as pessoas que o cercam. Reconheço que não sou perfeito, sou somente HUMANO , um SER HUMANO. O poeta já escreveu : " – que o amor seja eterno enquanto dure." Esse é um belíssimo trecho de um poema. Porém eu o considero ingênuo. Com todo carinho e respeito ao poeta, peço permissão para reescrevê-lo da seguinte maneira: " – QUE O AMOR SEJA ETERNO ENQUANTO SEJA CULTIVADO." Confesso que preciso cultivar meu desejo pela competição dentro do octógono. Sei que tenho que zelar por aquela chama que sempre ardeu em mim. Tendo conhecimento pleno disso: " – DECIDI QUE CUSTE O QUE CUSTAR VOU REACENDER MAIS UMA VEZ ESSA CHAMA." Muito obrigado pelo carinho e apoio. Vou finalizar esse capítulo na minha vida, olhando no espelho e reconhecendo a mim mesmo. Who does not recognize your own mistakes it is not worthy to lead yourself, even less the people around him. I recognize that I am far from perfect, I am only human; a human being. Once a poet in Brazil wrote: " – may love be eternal while it lasts. It is a beautiful fragment of a poem, but a truly consider it naive. If I may and with all do respect, I would re write it like this: " – may love be eternal while we nurture it." I confess that I need to nurture my competitive will inside the Octagon. I must cherish that fire inside of me again. Having recognized that to myself; I DECIDED TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO BURN THAT FLAME AGAIN! Thanks a lot for all the support and advices. But I decided that I will end this chapter of my life looking at the mirror and recognizing myself. @mundoboxing

A photo posted by Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort (@vitorbelfort) on Oct 15, 2016 at 1:01pm PDT

Early reports keyed in on a single Belfort quote to mean his fighting days were done.

“I decided that I will end this chapter of my life looking at the mirror and recognizing myself,” Belfort wrote.

However, when reached for clarification, the 39-year-old Brazilian said he had different intentions.

“I am not pleased with my two last performances and changes are being made,” Belfort said. “I don’t want to end my career the way it is right now. I want to look at the mirror and recognize myself as a the fighter I always have been.

“I have 20 years in this sport, and I intend to honor that legacy.”

For complete coverage of UFC 204, check out the UFC Events section of the site.