With news that UFC middleweight Vitor Belfort had passed the first of assumably several random drug tests, the No. 1 contender sounds happy to be moving forward without testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
“It was better for me (the end of TRT) because I left a boring treatment that was bothering me, and now I’m stronger, lighter and faster,” Belfort told SporTv (via Bloody Elbow). “So, for me, it was wonderful. Doesn’t matter what my blood says, nor the result of the blood test. What matters is what is in my head.”
Belfort faces middleweight champion Chris Weidman Feb. 28 at UFC 184 in Los Angeles, California, but underwent a random out-of-state blood and urine screening on Nov. 1 at the request of the Nevada Athletic Commission. The UFC covered testing expenses.
In compliance with the NAC’s ban on TRT, Belfort withdrew (or was pulled) from a planned title bout at UFC 173 with Weidman in order to allow his body to adjust from stopping the treatment.
“It was banned? There is no problem,” said Belfort. “I took 2014 to improve some techniques. I know that is hard to believe but I’m better now. I have been improving my skills, my kicks, my boxing, my endurance, my grappling, my strength and my footwork.”
In October 2013, Belfort claimed he would halt TRT for a title shot, but indicated he’d be disenfranchised without the exemption.
“I’ve already said that, if they agree with it, I would (stop doing TRT),” said Belfort in 2013. “No problem at all. If they want me to get there in a disadvantage, that’s ok.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘Mr. Injured.’ Tyron Woodley fires back at Hector Lombard. ‘I’ve never ducked a fight.’
Fortunes Changed for Five. Dave Meltzer explains how Frankie Edgar, Cub Swanson, Edson Barboza, Joseph Benavidez and Paige VanZant move forward following UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson.
‘We’d like to do a lot more.’ UFC chief global brand officer Garry Cook believes there is market demand for 20-30 more events than the promotion has already booked for 2015. ‘We are not an American brand trying to take our product around the world. That’s very different.’
Injury bug. American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez discusses ways to reduce training injuries in elite camps. ‘If we can minimize certain things, I’d like to try to do that. And that means less hard MMA sparring getting ready for a fight.’
‘My arm hurts.’ Rory MacDonald says he would have let J.T. Torres break his arm before tapping out in the co-main event of Metamoris 5.
Watch The MMA Hour with Russell Peters in studio, Tyron Woodley, Matt Wiman, Ben Rothwell, Will Brooks and Garry Cook.
MEDIA STEW
Robin Black breaks down Doo Ho Choi’s TKO win over Juan Manuel Puig at UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson.
Anderson Silva, Nick Diaz, Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, Anthony Johnson, Vitor Belfort, and Chris Weidman talk 2015’s schedule.
Ricardo Lamas on how he’d beat Conor McGregor.
Anderson Silva talks Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather.
Jimi Manuwa talks injury, recovery, training partners and future.
The Surfer commentates Ronda Rousey vs. Alexis Davis.
Long watches.
Knuckle Up #390: Edgar, Swanson, Pacquiao, Metamoris + Shame + Picks 100 % Wrong 100 % of the Time
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#LauDownShow Ep3 –Â Joe Lauzon and Jack Encarnacao recap Frankie Edgar vs. Cub Swanson.
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TWEETS
Sound good?
Frankie edgar vs jose aldo @ufc @UFCONFOX April 18 main event in my backyard @danawhite @lorenzofertitta how does that sound?
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) November 25, 2014
Worried for Cowboy.
I don’t believe in training with the same person every day, I’m a firm believer of learning a little… http://t.co/GwqbY9eMxA
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) November 25, 2014
Been there. Done that. “@Cowboycerrone: MMA sparring with the best in the world jonnybones #dreamjob http://t.co/yLMU1zzRtK“
— Dave Sholler (@Sholler_UFC) November 24, 2014
Damn.
@TWooodley tell the people the real truth why I want to fight you You dirty!
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) November 25, 2014
For the jerk that stole my car yesterday, I wish I was fighting you in Sweden on Jan. 24th. @ufc @danawhite pic.twitter.com/ybvwVyrBDY
— Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) November 24, 2014
Hook is coming.
Mitts are my fav but pads are fun too 🙂 #ufc184 http://t.co/gqxMeBcxL7
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) November 24, 2014
Get well soon.
Training Training Training http://t.co/5huSM3yhEU pic.twitter.com/hcREaLIgZ0
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) November 24, 2014
Not quite the beach.
Training at Mundo Capoeira Ireland tonight!! Great people. Great training!! Capo-EIRE!! #F… http://t.co/ukIbNLA560 pic.twitter.com/V0e2Dyjzpl
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 25, 2014
One scoop?
Me and @joejitsu living it up http://t.co/o1oKGvPVBD pic.twitter.com/mElJXVAeKM
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 24, 2014
Yep.
I think my body and me want to move back up to bantamweight lol pic.twitter.com/5XVlVJabxM
— Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) November 24, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Nov. 24 2014)
Jonathan Wilson out, Corey Anderson vs. Justin Jones at UFC 181
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via casey.harts.
The Schultz Brothers: Chasing Gold
The Olympics in 1984 was pivotal event for all involved, but especially the USA Wrestling team. With the USA boycotting the previous Olympics, the Soviet Union would follow suit this Olympics, making it a must win event for Team USA. Performing mediocrely here would reflect poorly and be magnified by the atmosphere. This is the year Mark and Dave Schultz would make their Olympic debut.
Mark spent 1983 dominating his way to another NCAA Championship at 177 Lbs. leaving him with a total of three titles when he graduated. The brothers got back together and focused their efforts on picking up medals for their home nation. It was tough as the transition from Folk to Freestyle is not an easy or seamless one.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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