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Do you expect the UFC to actually do anything about the TRT issue in regards to Vitor Belfort? Should TRT be banned outright in MMA?
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
If the UFC thinks there's money to be made in doing something about TRT in regards to Vitor Belfort, or anyone else for that matter, they'll be on it. If they decide the hassle is greater than the benefits, then they'll bury their heads in the sand so deeply that they won't sic Matt Hughes on Vitor Belfort for threatening to have someone kick John Morgan's ass for having the unmitigated gall to ask Vitor Mister Belfort a question about TRT. As for banning TRT in MMA, I'm not an endocrinologist, so I'm probably not the right person to ask. I don't see what good banning it will do, considering the large population of fighters on steroids and HGH, despite the ever so rigorous urine testing that the commissions put the fighters through.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Yeah, but it shouldn't come anytime soon. If Silva beats Weidman I want to see him fight Jon Jones next. If Weidman wins I think you give Silva an immediate rematch unless Weidman wins in convincing fashion. No matter what happens it's likely that the middleweight title won't be defended again for several months.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
No and no. I will elaborate on this shortly but in numerous situations and for numerous reasons TRT can be legitimately necessary. I'm going to take a lot of crap for this on twitter but it's not unlike estrogen replacement for women when they age, it just makes your body regulate better and brings everything to normal levels.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
No, he is a superstar who helped build the sport and except for the TRT, he has been a great ambassador for our sport. Yes, TRT should be banned. However, as long as one of it's biggest stars is using it, they will do nothing about it.
C.J. TUTTLE, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
The UFC is so confusing when it comes to this sort of thing. Everything is speculation. Sometimes they come out and handle some controversial instance with an iron fist, others with a slap on the wrist.
I think in the end, it's obvious the stuff is really working. More fighters are seeing this by the second and have to be hopping on the bandwagon.
The UFC should sit down, write everything out in stone, publish it, then when people break the PUBLISHED rules and regulations, cut them. No grey areas.
CAMERON LYMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think that the fans have the power to dictate how the UFC handles this issue. However, looking at a recent poll, about 60% of fans stated that Belfort deserved his title shot with TRT use. In my opinion, in Belfort, we are again seeing Barry Bonds and Mark Macguire peaking late into their careers. I don't believe it has a place in our sport and I'm sure we will look back at this time in regret especially if we let the #1 P4P champ fall to an enhanced athlete.
ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
The TRT issue is already getting tons of reaction (mostly negative) so eventually, the UFC will have to strengthen their stance, one way or another. They'll assess what the pros and cons of it are, because if it's one thing the UFC doesn't want, it's the look of a sport that allows questionable methods that MAY allow for advantages for one fighter against another. With the UFC trying their hardest for legalizing of MMA across the states (obviously New York), they'll make a stance that'll fall in favor of the company, if not the fighter. The UFC will make the determination if TRT is banned outright, as organizations will follow suit of the biggest player in town.
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST
There's no need to ban it outright, but it does need to be regulated far more stringently. There are probably plenty of fighters who genuinely need it and, actually abide by the current regulations. Then there are fighters like Vitor Belfort, who - after previously getting popped - continued using and abusing the system for all it's worth.
It's clear the UFC are content to turn a blind eye and allow Belfort to continue fighting in Brazil. That way he escapes the need for commission approval and continues to be a cash cow for the UFC to milk. Everyone wins apart from the poor sucker he obliterates in the main event.
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