Vitor Belfort’s MMA career isn’t over, after all.

Former UFC champion Belfort (26-14) has signed with ONE Championship, the promotion today announced.

“It is with great pleasure and honor that I welcome Vitor Belfort into the ONE Championship family,” Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, said in a press release. “Vitor is hands down, one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts. He is a legend across the world, and we are thrilled to have him as ONE expands into South America. A World Champion in multiple weight divisions, Vitor is a massive addition to our ever-growing roster of ONE Championship elite athletes. I cannot wait to see his explosive power and his exciting knockout finishes inside the ONE cage.”

A bonafide legend in the sport, Belfort has notable victories over the likes of Randy Couture, Wanderlei Silva, Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold, and Dan Henderson, twice. Belfort has also faced other big-name stars such as Anderson Silva, Jon Jones, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, and Lyoto Machida, among others. He now looks to continue his legendary career with ONE Championship.

“I have been in this sport since I was 19 years old, and have been fortunate enough to witness its growth and evolution firsthand,” Belfort said. “I am grateful to so many for this incredible opportunity. First of all, I would like to thank my wife Joana and my children, Davi, Victoria and Kyara for their infinite love and support. My management, Lloyd Pierson and Ballengee Group, guided me through this process with unmatched expertise.I would like to of course thank Chatri Sityodtong and ONE Championship, who gave me this great honor to fight in front of the Asian audience. ONE Championship is the Home of Martial Arts, and I plan to become a ONE World Champion in front of some of the best martial arts fans in the world.”

Belfort said prior to his knockout loss against Lyoto Machida at UFC 224 in May that it would be his last fight. He was reluctant to use the word “retirement,” but made it clear he no longer sought active competition.

Belfort’s UFC contract came to a conclusion with the fight against Machida, marking the first time since 2009 that he wasn’t tied to the organization.

In the months since UFC 224, Belfort, 41, has infrequently hinted at a comeback. He’s mentioned the likes of Wanderlei Silva, Quinton Jackson and Chael Sonnen as potential opponents, but did not explicitly state any plans to fight.

After dealing with a left shoulder surgery that removed an issue “the size of a golf ball” inside his joints. He said in December that he was feeling well physically and prepared to return to competition.

“The Phenom” has been a pro fighter since 1996 and has fought many of the sport’s biggest names in his more than 22-year career. He made his UFC debut at UFC 12 and from that point forward competed against the likes of Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Alistair Overeem, Anderson Silva, Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold, Dan Henderson, Gegard Mousasi and more inside the octagon and for other major promotions such as PRIDE and Strikeforce.

Terms of Belfort’s ONE Championship contract are unknown. A date, location and potential opponent for his promotional debut have yet to be announced.

For more on the upcoming ONE Championship schedule, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.