Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight No. 1 contender, Vitor Belfort, was blown away by Chris Weidman at the UFC 187 pay-per-view (PPV) event last month in Las Vegas, Nevada (video), despite a strong start to their 185-pound title fight.

That's why "The Phenom" is convinced he can still make another run at the gold.

In fact, Belfort (24-11) recently told Sensei SporTV (via MMA Fighting) that UFC President Dana White -- along with UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta -- are still on the Brazilian's hype train, based on the phone call he received the morning after he came up short in "Sin City."

His words:

"I still can do another run for the title. I got a phone call from Lorenzo and Dana the next day, asking me how I was. My last year and a half were really tough, adapting, a lot of changes. ‘Do you want to do another title run?' They know my potential. They called me to know how I was and if I want another title run. I know I'm still at the top of the division."

Belfort, 38, is a full six years younger than the recently-revitalized Dan Henderson, so I guess we should write him off just yet.

That said, we still don't know if "The Phenom" -- out of action for more than a year -- was defeated because he no longer competes on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), or because Weidman is just that damn good. Perhaps Belfort's next fight will help answer that question.

So ... any opponents come to mind?