Retiring in combat sports characteristically takes place over years of decline, rather than in a single fight. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort is likely no exception.

A retirement fight was planned for UFC Fight Night 124 on January 14, 2018, vs. Uriah Hall, but his opponent suffered seizures due to an extreme weight cut and the fight was canceled. Now Belfort’s retirement fight is planned for UFC 224: Nunes vs. Pennington on May 12, 2018, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, vs. Lyoto Machida.

Belfort says it’s his final fight, and a sentence later adds that’s he’d come back for seven figures. So it might be his last fight, but don’t bet on it. However, it did offer an appropriate opportunity for MMAjunkie‘s Fernanda Prates to ask ‘The Phenom’ how he wants to be remembered.

Belfort’s reply perhaps reflects on a legacy complicated by his legal and illegal use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Mankind’s biggest frustration is worrying about others think of them, said Belfort. If my wife and kids, who are the most important people in the world, think well of me – if others don’t think well of me, that’s their problem. The world’s biggest problem today is that people are worried about their Instagram filters. ‘Oh, I have 10 million followers,’ ‘I have a billion followers,’ or this or that. But no one knows what’s really going on in people’s lives.

On Instagram, everyone looks like they have a good life. A happy life. In reality, if I’m OK with the most important people in my life, and they admire me, people who are outside will consequently admire me. But I live for them. They’re the priority. I want to impress God, my wife, and my kids.

So, win or lose …

I always win, said Belfort.