Kenny Florian has been involved in the MMA scene for quite some time and is one of the more respected commentators who routinely offer their take on the sport.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, the knowledgeable Florian had some advice to the fighters using testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT).
“If you’re not able to produce the testosterone … or you have low testosterone, then perhaps you should retire. Simple as that,” Florian said.
“If you can’t compete at a certain level, that’s what your body does,” he said. “Eventually as you get older, you don’t produce as much testosterone. There comes a time when you need to retire. For those who are using, I think it’s a huge advantage. Of course it’s an advantage.”
Florian is a guy who saw his longtime UFC tenure come to an end due to nagging injuries, including some major complications with his back, so you figure he would be an avid supporter of something that helps fighters recover quickly.
Yet, Florian has been against TRT for a while and believes that while it may help a fighter in training camp, it won’t mean much come fight night.
“It’s something that’s beneficial as far as your recovery goes and your ability to get reps in every single day,” he said. “Every hour is crucial and beneficial. So for me, I’m not a big fan of it. I’ve spoken about that in the past. But it’s part of the sport, and it still comes down to the technical level of the fighters.”
TRT has become a main focal point heading into this weekend’s UFC on FX 8 event. Luke Rockhold will make his UFC debut against perennial title challenger Vitor Belfort, and Rockhold hasn’t held back when discussing Belfort‘s use of TRT.
I agree with Florian to a certain extent. TRT will help fighters in their workouts but overall skill definitely plays a role once the cage door closes. However, the advantage leading up to the fight as far as physical condition could be a deciding factor in a close match-up.
Ultimately TRT is here to stay until the UFC takes action whether fans like it or not. It will continue to be a cloud that hangs over a fighters head who uses it, but only time will tell on how fans will look back at the careers of men who’ve taken it.
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