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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Though Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer has gone on record stating that Vitor Belfort probably would not be granted approval for the use of testosterone replacement therapy in the state, the 35-year-old will be exempt for the treatment for his UFC on FX 8 bout in Brazil.
UFC President Dana White recently decided to change his stance on TRT, but given the way Belfort's been handled with the controversial treatment, it's not giving the UFC a very good image. Especially with Belfort's latest comments on the matter.
"The UFC always knew that I use, [but] do not do it to cheat," Belfort insisted in an interview with Tatame.com. "And I still do blood tests every week to equal the testosterone levels of athletes my age."
Whether Belfort's blood tests are actually being administered by the UFC or not isn't clear, nor is it clear just what he believes constitutes equal to athletes his age. Regardless, his UFC on FX 8 opponent Luke Rockhold isn't complaining, and sees no problems going into the May 18 matchup.
"I do not use and I see no problems, provided it is within the rules," Rockhold said.
Penick's Analysis: There are a lot of issues here. For starters, what is he determining equals the levels of athletes his age? Because there is a large range of testosterone levels which can be considered "normal" for men in his age range. If he was testing dangerously low, is he going to the low end of acceptable? Or is he pushing it to the highest levels he can without going over? Because that right there is a major difference and an unfair advantage without technically going "over the limit." And the fact that he's been busted for steroids in the past and the NSAC says he wouldn't be among those granted a therapeutic use exemption because of that past use, it doesn't seem right that he's getting a free pass in Brazil. And him saying the UFC "always knew" certainly flies in the face what Dana White would like to represent on the drug testing front. All in all, Belfort being allowed to use testosterone just shouldn't sit well with anyone, regardless of what testing he claims he's doing.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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