UFC releases statement of support for Belfort
The UFC organization supports Vitor Belfort’s application for a license to compete in Nevada, and we respect the Nevada Athletic Commission and its licensing process.
Despite the fact that a number of prominent fighters in mixed martial arts received a Therapeutic Use Exemption for Testosterone Replacement Therapy, Vitor Belfort became the poster child for TRT. As such, he received far more criticism for it than did for example Dan Henderson, who used TRT for twice as long as did Belfort.
On Feb 7, the Nevada State Athletic Commission administered a surprise test to Belfort, at the 2013 World MMA Awards. As Belfort recently revealed, the test showed that his testosterone level was notably above the therapeutic range.
When Wanderlei Silva refused to take a surprise drug test administered by the NSAC late last month, he was pulled from his several-times delayed fight with Chael Sonnen, and replaced with Belfort.
Belfort now faces a licensing hearing on June 17. If he does not receive a license to fight, then the fight with Sonnen at UC 175 is canceled.
The UFC released a message of support for “The Phenom.”
The UFC organization supports Vitor Belfort’s application for a license to compete in Nevada, and we respect the Nevada Athletic Commission and its licensing process. Pending Commission approval, we look forward to a great fight between Vitor Belfort and Chael Sonnen at UFC 175 on July 5.
The ambiguity around acceptable levels in someone undergoing TRT is one reason that TUEs are no longer issued in mixed martial arts by Nevada, or perhaps anywhere. Another was brought up recently by Joe Rogan, in an interview with Steph Daniels.
Rogan discussed an interview he conducted with head trauma expert Dr. Mark Gordon, who has treated soldiers, football players, and others who have experienced head trauma and subsequently suffered depression.
“He said that another symptom of traumatic brain injury is lowered testosterone levels,” explained Rogan. “The damage to the pituitary gland because of impacts is something they have shown time and time again can affect testosterone production. His take is if you’re not a guy who took steroids, but you are a guy who is engaging in combat sports and sparring and receiving head blows on a regular basis, and you exhibit low testosterone, then that might be an indication that you’re suffering from brain damage. If that’s the case, the fix isn’t to give you testosterone; it’s to get you to stop fighting.”
The sport is winding down from a failed experiment with TRT, and will be far better off for it.