Ex-UFC Champ Vitor Belfort to Face Hasim Rahman Jr. in Boxing Match on Oct. 15

Vitor Belfort will make another venture into the Sweet Science when he faces Hasim Rahman in a boxing match in Sheffield, England, on Oct. 15.

The bout was announced during on Saturday during an event that featured YouTube personality KSI. Belfort vs. Rahman Jr. is expected to serve as one half of a double main event for a card entitled DAZN X Series 002, with the other featured bout to be announced at a later date.

Belfort’s first boxing outing occurred when he defeated 58-year-old former champion Evander Holyfield via technical knockout 1:49 into Round 1 of their clash at a Triller Fight Club-promoted event in September 2021. Though initially marketed as Belfort’s professional debut, the fight was counted as an exhibition by the Florida State Boxing Commission. Belfort was previously slated to face Oscar De La Hoya before De La Hoya withdrew after contracting COVID-19. The former UFC champion has a 1-0 mark in professional boxing thanks to a knockout victory against Josemario Neves in 2006. “The Phenom” hasn’t competed in MMA since 2018, when he fell to Lyoto Machida via second-round KO at UFC 224.

Rahman Jr., meanwhile, owns a 12-1 professional mark but is coming off a technical knockout loss to Kenzie Morrison in his most recent appearance. Rahman Jr. was supposed to face Jake Paul at a Showtime event in August as a replacement opponent for Tommy Fury, but the event was scrapped when Rahman Jr. was unable to make weight.