Vitor Belfort campaigned long and hard for a title shot, and earlier this year he finally got it, vs. UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. However, Belfort was administered a surprise, out-of-competition PED test by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Shortly thereafter he declined to apply for a license, citing the new policy banning Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
The title shot went instead to Lyoto Machida. Then the fight was delayed due to surgery Weidman needed. It will finally take place at UFC 175 on July 5.
Meanwhile, the results of the medical test are known to Belfort, to the UFC, and to the NSAC, but to date no party has said what was found. Until Belfort applies for a license to fight in Nevada, they will remain private.
Belfort’s attorney has said that the fighter was at the time of the test receiving TRT, under the care of an MD. However, NSAC guidelines require that a fighter who applies for a Therapeutic Use Exemption for TRT not be doing it at the time.
This could present a problem for Belfort getting licensed in Nevada. Dr. Marcio Tannure, medical director for Brazil’s MMA athletic commission, the Comissao Atletica Brasileira de MMA (CABMMA), said Belfort can apply for a license normally in Brazil. However, tthe UFC does not commission shop – trying to find a jurisdiction where a fighter can get licensed, if he or she cannot get licensed in another.
In order for Vitor Belfort to fight in the UFC, he has to sort out his problems in Nevada.
Guilherme Cruz interviewed Belfort recently about his next steps.
“My intention is to fight for the belt,” said Belfort. “I got a license in Brazil from the exams I did. What I want now is get licenses in every state because the UFC is a global company, and I want to fight whenever there’s a fight. If I need a license to fight in Mars, I’m ready.”
“We’re going to contact [the NSAC], as we’re going to contact every other state commission. I’m focused on a goal, and every day is time to smash the grapes.”
“Some things are out of my control so I don’t think about it, brother. The secret of life is don’t waste time with things that are out of your control. My wife Joana runs an office now, OTD Fight, and they take care of everything for me. My focus is just training.”
Will the surprise drug test taken in February be an issue?
“Not at all, even because I was in treatment,” he responded. “The only thing is that I didn’t have the license (for TRT) in Nevada.
“I always did all the exams. When I was doing the TRT treatment I did exams every week, so I have all the history. That’s really serious and I have good doctors. I was always very responsible with that.”
Right before the next question about the result of the surprise test, the interview was interrupted. Joana Prado, Belfort’s wife, picked up the phone and said the fighter wouldn’t talk about it.
“That is closed,” said Prado. “You already have the answer from the lawyer, the UFC and everybody else.”
