After telling everyone last week to ‘quit complaining’ about the UFC’s ban on testosterone replacement therapy, Chael Sonnen says the news has a very real adverse impact on his lifestyle. While TRT poster boy Vitor Belfort claims he’s ready to trudge forward without the treatment, Sonnen, who was diagnosed with hypogonadism in 2008, isn’t so optimistic. Speaking with Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole, Sonnen sounds as if his symptoms off TRT are nearly unbearable.
“The best way to describe is that it is a completely terrible, horrible feeling,” Sonnen said. “This is a medicine and it’s medicine I need to live normally on a day-to-day basis. People say it is a performance enhancer, and there are a lot of things guys can take to enhance performance. But testosterone is more than a performance enhancer for me. It is a life enhancer.
Sonnen, who in 2011 described his affliction as suffering from a testosterone level equivalent to a ’93-year-old man,’ says his life is immeasurably improved since beginning TRT.
“My life is better. My attitude is better. I have more energy. I need less sleep. It makes me feel better in many different regards. It makes me a better husband and a better neighbor and a better pet owner. I understand the abuse, but this is a medicine that helps people with a problem.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Unfair. Rashad Evans says he doesn’t believe his teammate Vitor Belfort needs TRT to compete and hopes he ends up getting his title shot.
Glory days. Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic reflects on his career in PRIDE and how he ‘failed’ in the UFC.
‘That sucks a little bit.’ Alexander Gustafsson doesn’t sound happy about going from a PPV main event to UFC Fight Pass.
No regrets. Mac Danzig is retiring from MMA, citing concussions and long-term health concerns.
TRT & rankings. Should we reevaluate the current standings now that the UFC has banned the treatment?
MEDIA STEW
Free Fight: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko.
Ronda Rousey says she’d go Monkey Kung Fu on Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Cage Warriors FC 65 recap.
Brad Pickett on the MMA mentality.
You can’t unlearn these facts about Team Alpha Male.
Rampage shows off his house and shark-less pool.
Long watches.
TWEETS
Congrats on the career, Mac.
Official Announcement: http://t.co/3sdzzmBRwZ Thanks for everything, my friends… I’m still here… On to the next!
— Mac Danzig (@macdanzigmma) March 5, 2014
I try not to be the corny sentimental type, but the response I’ve gotten from all of you so far is incredible. I’m humbled. Thank you all.
— Mac Danzig (@macdanzigmma) March 5, 2014
TL:DR: “I cut 42 pounds and end up falling short ending with me curled up on a floor with my friends, family and others concerned about my health.”
Shed a lil light on this weekend. I messed up and and very sorry but I’ll be back https://t.co/2u1UsbSq0G
— Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) March 5, 2014
Could be interesting.
We’re scheduling something soon “@MattheuwM: @joerogan @JonnyBones don’t play with my emotion Jon, get on Joe’s podcast ASAP”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 5, 2014
It’s like an old fashioned duel.
@DustinPoirier Oh yeah….that was fun
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) March 5, 2014
@DustinPoirier Understandable and looking forward to it 😈
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) March 5, 2014
In response to Rosi’s callout.
I like Rosi. She is true warrior. I respect her. I do understand her feeling. I’m also in a deep thoughts, it’s a quite difficult matter…
— ??? Megumi Fujii (@MegaMeguCat) March 4, 2014
SBG boys.
@TheNotoriousMMA great news bro. See you Thursday.
— Gunnar Nelson (@GunniNelson) March 4, 2014
Ideas?
Tel me who do you want me to fight next?
— Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) March 4, 2014
Get it together, you guys.
If I call u a “friend” it means if u call me with a body to bury I WILL come help. Disappoints me to see that that loyalty is one-sided..
— War Machine (@WarMachine170) March 4, 2014
#NationalHealthAndFitnessDay was also national pancake day.
Hey @ufc how about a RT for #NationalHealthAndFitnessDay that’s being sponsored by #sfiaNHTF14, lets get America healthy thru fitness…
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) March 4, 2014
It’s #NationalPancakeDay Breakfast. Lunch. & Dinner pic.twitter.com/xdMn6GMfzs
— Patrick Cummins (@OfficialDurkin) March 4, 2014
Happy National pancake day !!!
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) March 4, 2014
Doing it properly on pancake Tuesday with @bjjowen at moosecoffee. Pre drilling nutrition at its finest. http://t.co/tnMYhGIdWO
— michael wootten (@mikewootten) March 4, 2014
Healthy pancake for pancake day! 1 egg 1/2 banana 2tbs almond milk 1tsp cinnamon 1tbs flex seed. Mash banana then add all goods mix! Pt 1/2
— John Maguire (@MaguireTheOne) March 4, 2014
It’s international pancake day you saaay? Maybe today will be my cheat day 😊😛 #FatMess pic.twitter.com/y71OEorkFY
— ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) March 5, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Mar. 4 2014)
Danny Castillo out, Takanori Gomi vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg at UFC 172
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Jonnyboy6969.
Who Should Fight Who? TUF China Finale Winners & Losers
Here is another Who Should Fight Who.
Kim should fight The Winner of Lombard vs Shields – Reason: Dong Hyun Kim has become a different fighter. He used to be one of the best grinders in the game but lately hes just been knocking dudes out. Hes said that he is going to be more aggressive in order to get a title shot, he knows if he wants to get a title shot and become a star he needs to be exciting and man has he been exciting. He was swinging like a madman in the Hathaway fight. He was ultra aggressive and he was landing bombs over and over on Hathaway. He hurt him many times before he ultimately knocked him out with a spinning elbow in the third round. Christ Almighty it was amazing. I’ve never seen someone knock someone out with a spinning elbow like that. It was devastating, Hathaway dropped like he got shot. That was Kim’s best performance of his career in my opinion. He was exciting and he absolutely destroyed a very tough opponent in John Hathaway. It was a fantastic performance and I can’t wait to see his next fight. I’d like to see him fight The Winner of Hector Lombard vs Jake Shields next. This fight makes a lot of sense ranking wise, whether Kim fights Lombard or Shields it doesn’t matter I think it’d be a great fight. Kim could also fight The Winner of Ellenberger vs Saffiedine or The Winner of Story vs Gastelum.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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