Gegard Mousasi: I think Vitor ‘has a lot of mental issues’ because of TRT use

Gegard Mousasi gives his opinion on Vitor Belfort’s mental state, relating it to previous TRT use.

In February 2014, the Nevada Athletic Commission issued a ban on the use of testosterone replacement therapy among fighters. This meant a major training regimen revamp among those who rely on therapeutic use exemption, such as Vitor Belfort.

In his late 30’s, many deemed Belfort to be at his best during a three-fight string in 2013, when he scored highlight reel knockouts against Luke Rockhold, Michael Bisping, and Dan Henderson, respectively. But once the TRT ban was in place, Belfort’s performance began to take a dip as well, winning only one of his four subsequent fights.

At 39 years of age, Belfort remains in active competition, and does not seem to hold any plans of calling it quits soon. But his UFC 204 opponent, Gegard Mousasi, thinks that TRT may have taken a toll mentally on the former UFC light heavyweight champion.

“I think with Vitor, he has a lot of mental issues,” Mousasi told the Daily Star. “If you take TRT, that’s testosterone, you’re going to be aggressive and be confident. You feel more manly and whatever you feel. I think if he hits you, then he swarms on you with punches and kicks.

“But I didn’t give him that chance. He landed one punch in the beginning but with him I think it’s a lot of mental stuff.”

After their UFC 204 fight where he walked out with an impressive second round TKO win, Mousasi claims that he did not see any flashes of “The Phenom,” a fighter that was once one of the feared ones during his heyday.

“He wasn’t the typical Vitor Belfort,” Mousasi said. “But like I said, TRT it’s not just physical – mentally you’re going to feel different. If you look at the mirror (when you’re on TRT) you’re going to feel better. These are factors with him.

“He came in to fight and he was looking for the opportunity to land that big punch or that kick to finish the fight but I think he wasn’t very sure of himself.”

Gegard Mousasi gives his opinion on Vitor Belfort’s mental state, relating it to previous TRT use.

In February 2014, the Nevada Athletic Commission issued a ban on the use of testosterone replacement therapy among fighters. This meant a major training regimen revamp among those who rely on therapeutic use exemption, such as Vitor Belfort.

In his late 30’s, many deemed Belfort to be at his best during a three-fight string in 2013, when he scored highlight reel knockouts against Luke Rockhold, Michael Bisping, and Dan Henderson, respectively. But once the TRT ban was in place, Belfort’s performance began to take a dip as well, winning only one of his four subsequent fights.

At 39 years of age, Belfort remains in active competition, and does not seem to hold any plans of calling it quits soon. But his UFC 204 opponent, Gegard Mousasi, thinks that TRT may have taken a toll mentally on the former UFC light heavyweight champion.

“I think with Vitor, he has a lot of mental issues,” Mousasi told the Daily Star. “If you take TRT, that’s testosterone, you’re going to be aggressive and be confident. You feel more manly and whatever you feel. I think if he hits you, then he swarms on you with punches and kicks.

“But I didn’t give him that chance. He landed one punch in the beginning but with him I think it’s a lot of mental stuff.”

After their UFC 204 fight where he walked out with an impressive second round TKO win, Mousasi claims that he did not see any flashes of “The Phenom,” a fighter that was once one of the feared ones during his heyday.

“He wasn’t the typical Vitor Belfort,” Mousasi said. “But like I said, TRT it’s not just physical – mentally you’re going to feel different. If you look at the mirror (when you’re on TRT) you’re going to feel better. These are factors with him.

“He came in to fight and he was looking for the opportunity to land that big punch or that kick to finish the fight but I think he wasn’t very sure of himself.”