White: MDs disagree on Vitor’s surprise test
Dana White: “Here’s the reality of that test, doctors disagree with the results of that test. Doctors that matter disagree with the results of that test.”
UFC president Dana White conducted a wide-ranging UFN 41 pre-fight media scrum in Berlin. Among the the topics covered was TRT in MMA generally, and its use by Vitor Belfort specifically.
On Feb 7, 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 a NSAC new policy banning Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
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.
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.
White finally referenced what was in the tests, but things are not as yet clearer. White was asked if the results of the test should influence Sonnen’s licensing.
“A lot of the media has been talking about it but here’s the reality with that test, doctors disagree with the results of that test, yah, so…” said White. “Doctors that matter disagree with the results of that test.”
“And here’s the problem, the problem is this, nobody knows what the f— they’re talking about when it comes to TRT and the testing. It’s the main reason it had to go away. If you talk to three different doctors, or you talk to different commissions, everybody has a different opinion on it. Nobody knew what the hell they were talking about, you know? When it’s like that it’s got to go away, it’s too big of a problem, it’s a nightmare.
“And there were only – ESPN did that story where ‘it was rampant.’ There were 500 guys under contract and you had Chael, Vitor, Henderson… and Frank Mir. You had four guys taking it. Four guys were taking it out of 500 guys under contract. ‘It was rampant’ and now we got three guys that we’re dealing with, you know?
“Henderson got off it. Chael got off it. And now Vitor’s off it. So…”
“I think we have the best system in all of sports. Wanderlei Silva just got caught, he didn’t even fight yet. They’re chasing guys around. They’re pre-testing. They’re random testing. If you do anything in this sport, you will get caught.”
(44:00 mark)