Michael Bisping
UFC middleweight Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping released a personal statement this past Friday night responding to the the wave of fan and media questions about the news that Vitor Belfort had received a Testosterone Replacement Therapy use exemption for their fight in Brazil.
The two fighters headlined last months UFC on FX 7 event and saw ‘The Phenom’ drop ‘The Count’ in the second round with a head kick on January 19 in Brazil.
Following the event, news surfaced that one fighter had failed a post-fight drug test with many pointing fingers at Belfort who had a history of testing positive.
It was eventually revealed by UFC officials that the failed drug test belonged to Thiago Tavares and that Belfort had been given the TRT use exemption for the event.
In response, Bisping released this statement on his personal website Friday night.
As some of you may know, I’ve just got back to Orange County from filming a movie in England. There have been dozens and dozens of interview requests and tweets about the recent news.
I’m back in England next week for the UFC on FUEL show, and right now all I really want to do is see my family, especially my daughter, who turned just turned 10 (happy birthday, Elle!). So, I wanted to do a short statement here and then move on to my fight with Alan Belcher, April 27th at UFC 159.
Here’s what I’ve got to say:
As I said right after the fight, I lost because I made a mistake and Vitor took advantage of it. It sucks. I don’t like it, but that was the result. I lost. Bottom line.
Over the past couple years, and even right before the fight, I have made my views on TRT very, very clear. I don’t feel that I need to go into depth about it again right now. All I have to add, about this specific instance, is that it is very disappointing that someone who was caught cheating with testosterone in the past, now gets to use testosterone legally. A well known side effect of steroids is that it reduces testosterone, so I don’t understand how it would make sense to then grant someone an exemption to then increase testosterone.
All that being said, I am not here to make excuses or cry over spilled milk. I fight in the best organization in the world, The UFC, and am very excited to work and earn a title fight, the right way. That process starts by whooping Alan Belcher’s ass at UFC 159 on Saturday, April 27th, live on PPV.
Thanks everyone for their support – can’t wait to spend some time with British UFC fans in London next week and I will be back, better than ever.