"The Phenom" wants back in the UFC

Since last fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship almost three years ago, Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort has spent time in multiple promotions including Pride, Cage Rage and StrikeForce, but it looks like the Brazilian is hoping for a return to the UFC at some point in the near future.

Belfort recently appeared on TAGG Radio and confirmed a meeting he had with representatives from Zuffa. While no details were made available, he sounded confident with its results and even mentioned whom he would like to fight if he returned to the Octagon.

“We had a meeting. It was great,” said Belfort. “Actually what I want, everybody has pride and I have unfinished business with Tito (Ortiz and our) last fight since I won the fight, most people feel I won the fight.”

The fight between Belfort and Ortiz officially ended in a split decision win for Ortiz, but the former UFC champion has a new idea for the fight if he and Ortiz meet again.

“Basically what I would like to do is I would like to fight him and I have a challenge for him,” Belfort stated emphatically. “The challenge would be winner take it all.”

Beyond the grudge match brewing with Ortiz, Belfort feels that his return to the UFC is necessary because of his long-standing ties with the promotion and that the fighters there now are treading on his territory.

“The UFC’s my house,” said Belfort. “See a lot of guys there, they are at my house. The UFC’s my house, they come into my land. Even Tito, he came after, he came to my house.”

Fans have long clamored for Belfort’s return, but not the fighter who has struggled in many of his recent fights, they have long been begging for the warrior who blew through competition like Wanderlei Silva and David “Tank” Abbot a few years ago.

“I know the fans want the old Vitor back,”said Belfort, who was suspended for the use of banned substances after a Pride show in Las Vegas last year. “I took care of my issues, took care of my problems, so now I’m clean and ready to get back into the UFC.”

Belfort confirmed that he is no longer training at Black House in Brazil and now works only with a team of coaches and selective training partners.

Ultimately, he understands the challenge in front of him, but he knows that to face the best fighters in the world he needs to be in the UFC.

“I want to fight with the best, so you have to be around the best,” said Belfort.