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UFC reveals Vitor Belfort used testosterone replacement therapy for UFC on FX 7

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#1 ·
UFC reveals Vitor Belfort used testosterone replacement therapy for UFC on FX 7

by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Feb 06, 2013 at 1:25 pm ET

UFC officials today answered the question Vitor Belfort refused to address: Yes, "The Phenom" did use testosterone replacement therapy in advance of his UFC on FX 7 win over Michael Bisping.

UFC officials today revealed Belfort was granted a therapeutic-use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy prior to the bout and that his post-fight drug screen "did not indicate the presence of any prohibited substance for increasing performance improvement."

Belfort and Bisping headlined the Jan. 19 event, which took place at Sao Paulo's Ibirapuera Gymnasium. The Brazilian scored a second-round TKO over the Brit and then proceeded to call for a rematch with current light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

All 22 fighters who competed on the card were tested for performance-enhancing drugs and drugs of abuse, and the UFC this past week confirmed one test result in an "irregular" finding, which led to speculation that Belfort – who in 2006 was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for the anabolic steroid 4-Hydroxytestosterone – was the culprit.

However, as UFC President Dana White promised following this past weekend's UFC 156 event, that was not the case. Instead, the failed result belonged to lightweight Thaigo Tavares, who was suspended for nine months.

"To dispel rumors that have been circulated, Zuffa wishes to clarify that Vitor Belfort’s drug test results were negative and did not indicate the presence of any performance enhancing drugs," a statement from Zuffa read.

Still, Belfort's use of testosterone is sure to raise a few eyebrows. However, UFC officials said the fighter has been diagnosed with hypogonadism, the same condition that allowed Chael Sonnen to receive prior exemptions, and that Belfort's levels have been properly monitored by a Nevada physician.

UFC on FX 7 marked the regulatory debut of the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (Comissao Atletica Brasileira de MMA), which is part of the upstart International Mixed Martial Arts Federation. (UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner, whom the Brazilian commission shadowed during the UFC's three prior events in the country, chairs the IMMAF's technical committee.)

Belfort, who's recently dodged questions about his potential use of testosterone-replacement therapy, addressed reporters prior to Saturday's UFC 156 event in Brazil and dismissed the rumors of the failed drug test.

"I think people get jealous when a guy at my age is destroying these people getting title shots," he said. " ... I think when you look good, the tendency of people to judge you and criticize you is bigger because it sells [newspapers]. See, we're talking about this, but I had a great performance, and we're spending more time talking about the controversy than my performance."
http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/...tosterone-replacement-therapy-for-ufc-on-fx-7
 
#9 ·
Well they don't produce normal levels of testosterone. For some weird reason this dreadful plaugue seems to strike people who have formerly been caught using or suspected of using steroids.

So either their former abusers or just too old to produce the testosterone naturally, which in my books should mean retirement - not TRT
 
#24 ·
It also extends their careers at the cost of some young, up and coming kid who can't get his spot in the UFC because the old timers won't leave. If your body can't deal with MMA any longer, you're not supposed to do it.
I disagree, your not supposed to do it only if you start sucking or you have no chin anymore ala liddell, wandy etc. I for one want to see Dan Henderson continue to compete for as long as he can and if TRT makes that possible then so be it. Also If I kid can't get a spot in the UFC anymore it's because the UFC has been adding too many stupid weight classes filling up all the spots and former bellator fighters are getting sued instead of getting to fight in the UFC. Also i'm sure if you can't beat a veteran just because he is extending his career then you shouldn't be in the UFC/ a top fighter for that excuse.
 
#10 ·
I honestly don't care as long as they stay with in the correct ranges.

I dont think it makes any real difference unless it came down to 2 completely evenly skilled fighters in which one of a 2:1 ratio while the other had a 4:1 in which it would still be a very small difference. You gotta understand, just because the limit is 6:1, who in their right mind is actually going to let themselves get to that ratio? What if they ACCIDENTLY went over and then got randomly tested and popped and now they are this big abuser? So your thinking 4:1 against someone that is 2 or 3:1 which really isnt even worth making an argument about.

The only arguments that hold any weight are exactly what budi is saying - "You should have to go out the old fashion way if your testosterone is declining" and a case where someone blatantly abused it(Like in chael's case [but let's remember chael has been on this stuff since he was a kid.. he supposedly was never on steroids, just born with a condition] where he was way over) but not to be confused with a case like Overeem's where it wasn't TRT, it was actually steroids.

When i think of TRT i think of testosterone. Not a HUGE pimply guy with no neck. There is a big difference. Extra test is only going to allow you to go harder in the gym and be more aggressive. It will NOT give you more stamina or more strength, THOUGH more stamina and more strength can be a result of being able to go harder in the gym, it is not a direct result of the therapy.

For example, if a guy was on TRT, but not working out or anything like that.. the only real effect it would have would be his sex drive and his attitude.

A guy taking steroids will gain weight and muscle without even working out. Absolutely not as much as he would if he was, but he still does have gains without putting any work in to earn it.
 
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#32 ·
I honestly don't care as long as they stay with in the correct ranges.

I dont think it makes any real difference unless it came down to 2 completely evenly skilled fighters in which one of a 2:1 ratio while the other had a 4:1 in which it would still be a very small difference. You gotta understand, just because the limit is 6:1, who in their right mind is actually going to let themselves get to that ratio? What if they ACCIDENTLY went over and then got randomly tested and popped and now they are this big abuser? So your thinking 4:1 against someone that is 2 or 3:1 which really isnt even worth making an argument about.

The only arguments that hold any weight are exactly what budi is saying - "You should have to go out the old fashion way if your testosterone is declining" and a case where someone blatantly abused it(Like in chael's case [but let's remember chael has been on this stuff since he was a kid.. he supposedly was never on steroids, just born with a condition] where he was way over) but not to be confused with a case like Overeem's where it wasn't TRT, it was actually steroids.

When i think of TRT i think of testosterone. Not a HUGE pimply guy with no neck. There is a big difference. Extra test is only going to allow you to go harder in the gym and be more aggressive. It will NOT give you more stamina or more strength, THOUGH more stamina and more strength can be a result of being able to go harder in the gym, it is not a direct result of the therapy.

For example, if a guy was on TRT, but not working out or anything like that.. the only real effect it would have would be his sex drive and his attitude.


A guy taking steroids will gain weight and muscle without even working out. Absolutely not as much as he would if he was, but he still does have gains without putting any work in to earn it.

Agreed with a lot of what you said except for the bolded point at the end. Steroids DO NOT let you gain without working out. Have you ever seen a professional body builder or gym rat off season not working out? Bloated stomach, size of their peak muscle shrink dramatically. If you do it naturally, you can take time off and not lose as much size opposed to on the 'sauce'.


This whole TRT thing is such a grey area for fans and competitors. Guys are striving so hard to be the best they'll do anything to get it. I still think the best athletes don't need to take it to be at the top of their games. I say either a) professional sports allows all of this or b) bans it outright

There should be no in-between. I think the only time drugs should never be mentioned is in amateur competition (Olympics). Anything professional (NBA/NFL, etc) vote to have it/not have it and be done with the shenanigan.

:dunno:
 
#16 ·
Just before some (most) people get the wrong idea, the person who failed the drug test was Tiago Tavares.

I know people still believe it was Belfort and this "hidden" TRT use was the confirmation and come up with their own stories. Belfort used TRT and it was known and approved before the fight.

Regarding TRT use, imo its in such a grey area that it needs to be banned entirely. If you have low levels of testosterone when you are in your 30's its likely you destroyed your body with things like PEDs when you were younger. Just make TRT banned already. If you need TRT to power yourself up to fight, then maybe you shouldnt be fighting anymore.
 
#26 ·
This.

It isn't as simple as they have the same level of testosterone so it is fair. They have years of experience and training over the younger guys. Fresher more athletic and quicker recovering bodies are the advantages of youth and experience and knowledge are the advantages of being older. This alters that in a completely unfair way and for the most part is being exploited by people who spent their youth abusing steroids to gain similarly unfair advantages over their competitors.
 
#20 ·
**** Vitor.

"I think people get jealous when a guy at my age is destroying these people getting title shots," he said. " ... I think when you look good, the tendency of people to judge you and criticize you is bigger because it sells [newspapers]. See, we're talking about this, but I had a great performance, and we're spending more time talking about the controversy than my performance."

idiot. I haven't liked Vitor for sometime now
 
#23 ·
Just look at Vitor, scrawny, withering with old age, it's no wonder he's juicing. This shit's a joke, I want to see the likes of Nate Diaz all pumped up on testosterone through training camp.
 
#25 ·
Well I guess UFC and Vitor will commission dodge Vegas for the rest of his career seeing as he won't get a TUE there.


Also this sport has become an utter joke with this TRT bullshit and at this point every fighter should hook up with Herrera and Conte and just be super mutant fighting championships.

If people are going to cheat in broad daylight then **** it. Might as well re-level the playing field.
 
#28 ·
jeez when did fighting become a sissy moral convention, I swear everything to do with MMA and boxing is watered down to I don't like this guy because he offends me or he took something I don't like, MMA is becoming an anagram for TMZ
 
#36 ·
Oh no! Fighters are using performance enhancing drugs and providing us with entertaining fights at the cost of having a reputable, fair sport!

What a bunch of altar boys we all are.


Free Greg Anderson, and put Barry Bonds and the lot in the Hall of Fame please.

No need to pretend steroids are the biggest threat to American society since the red scare any longer, if guys are going to publicly cheat in this sport.
 
#37 ·
What a load of nonsense. Did TRT stop Jake Shields from dominating Dan Henderson? Did TRT stop Anderson Silva from knocking out Vitor Belfort? Did TRT stop Demian Maia from submitting Chael Sonnen? Did TRT stop Tarec Saffiedine from taking Nate Marquardt's leg home with him?

Fighters who test within normal levels aren't competing with superhuman like strength. I'll continue to enjoy watching the likes of Vitor, Henderson, and Sonnen compete. You lot feel free to make a mountain out of a molehill. TRT is the flavour of the month. The fact that you compare Barry Bonds, who took illegal anabolic steroids, to fighters who legally use TRT and test within a permissible range shows just how little you actually know. Enjoy your pointless witch hunt.
 
#42 ·
It is what it is. I cant be dealing with it. MMA is my primary sport of interest. This shit gets me down. Thats how it makes me feel personally. Will I stop watching the fights? Feck no! But each time a guy on TRT wins a fight, whether its fair or not, I'm not going to be happy about it.
 
#38 ·
:laugh:

Oh man. The argument that because a guy used PEDs and didnt win every fight means they should not be banned.

It's exactly as we all thought, unban all PEDs because they don't make you unstoppable.

Hey did you guys here Tavares got busted for illegal anabolics? He got stopped in round 1! Free illegal anabolic steroids!

Free Balco! Free Greg Anderson!
 
#39 ·
:sarcastic11:

No sense in conversing with a complete douchebag who has a knack for taking anything said and twisting it to suit his own, deluded take on things.

As I said, I'll continue to enjoy watching these men fight. You enjoy your online crusade that will ultimately be of no consequence or effect to anyone.
 
#40 ·
Properly used TRT and the use of banned PED's are two separate issues in my book.

Assuming that TRT is being used properly, and the recipient has their levels monitored and all that. My biggest concern is the extension of a fighter's career at the expense of their own health. I don't want everyone ending up like Mohammad Ali or Gary Goodridge.
 
#53 ·
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