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What's your reaction to Vitor Belfort's TRT exemption at UFC on FX 7, as well as Michael Bisping's subdued statement in response.
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
What? I'm supposed to have a reaction that a convicted drug cheat is cheating again? That the UFC sponsors drug cheating from their superstars is supposed to move me, or you, or anyone? That's just so cute. Look, be honest with yourselves. If you think that less than half (I'm being kind) of your favorite professional athletes are clean, then You. Are. A. Fool. As to Bisping's role in this, what is he supposed to do? The UFC allowed a convicted cheat to take TRT, so if he rails against Vitor, he's railing against the cartel. Not to mention that he'd then be slapped with the label of 'Whiner' from those who already disapprove of him because another drug cheat knocked his ass out at UFC 100.
Gee. Guess I did have a reaction after all.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think it's absolute garbage that he was able to get a exemption. I think that if you've failed a drug test before, you shouldn't be allowed to use TRT. You're responsible for your low levels (if they truly are low), so you shouldn't be able to use TRT.
I give Bisping credit for taking the high road. It's not what I was expecting, to be honest.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Bisping's response is obviously not what I expected, he was much more tame than I would have thought. Usually he's very up front and agressive, he seemed to have a "screw it" state of mind. And in regards to Belfort's TRT exemption - honestly I have done a lot of research lately, and I have a very close family member who is on testosterone replacement therapy for a number of reasons and it's actually a lot more common than one would expect. I think that if they monitor everything as closely as they should it would be OK, but the fact that they haven't signed up with VADA or someone of the sort worries me a bit. Belfort is getting up there in age and he's been around a long time, but I am not going to judge or point a finger of blame for what his body supposedly medically needs. I was on steroids for years to control my arthritis, even while playing sports and I had to supply a doctors note for why it was in my system and what purpose it served, also to prove that it would not enhance performance, and legal TRT done correctly and appropriately technically would just stabilize the testosterone in ones system, not enhance it.
TONY BECERRA, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
When I read that Vitor was granted exemption for the use of TRT I wasn't too surprised. When news of a fighter using TRT surfaces, the cheating allegations shortly follow. There are provisions in the rules that allow for exemption, however, in recent years amongst the MMA community, TRT has been considered to enhance performance similar to other PED's. Where does one draw the line between exemption and abuse? Truth is, there are still questions left unanswered. I was a little surprised that Bisping didn't let Vitor have it after his well publicized stance on the use of TRT. I think Bisping answered the best way possible. Bisping owned his mistake, knew he got caught and now it's back to the drawing board.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Plain and simple, Belfort is cheating. He was busted back in 2006 at Pride 32 for elevated levels of testosterone. It is inconceivable to me how this is allowed to happen again today. If this were a level playing field he would never be allowed to use TRT for any reason and compete. What is Bisping going to say? He got his ass handed to him. I was actually surprised by his subdued statement, but never the less he was knocked out. Would he have beaten Bisping if he had not been using TRT? We will never know, but as long as these fighters are allowed to ‘bend’ the rules we will never have fair fights.
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
I really don't understand the UFC's stance on TRT exemption; especially for cards in locations who don't have a regulated commission who could deny usage. Belfort (and other guys) getting away with this is no example to set and I'm sure other fighters will consider it if they get an edge. Still, how can some receive lenghty bans for cheating yet others using TRT to get an advantage get away with it? None of this makes any sense to me at all and it's just wrong.
As for Michael Bisping, fair play to him. He knows, irrespective of the TRT usage, that he was second best on the night. Maybe his response would have been more vitrolic if Belfort had been penalised for his actions; but because he didn't what would an angry response achieve? Nothing. Everything Bisping did before, during and after that fight has been nothing short of class personified. Respect to him for that, but I really hope he brings the smack talk back for the Alan Belcher fight.
[Michael Bisping art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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