Vitor Belfort’s noted detractors have now grown to include his next opponent. UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, along with his chief striking coach and trainer Ray Longo, have begun opening up on their stance toward’s Belfort’s use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) leading up to a title bout this spring. Belfort, who has been undergoing TRT since his 2011 bout with Anderson Silva, has previously been issued a therapeutic-use exemption (TUE) allowing him to continue competing while undergoing treatment.
“I know Chris is beating the guy but why give him an advantage?” Longo told ESPN. “Why does he deserve that? All he did was abuse his body with steroids so that now he needs the exemption. It’s bull****.”
Belfort’s past transgressions now come into play. Having tested positive in 2006 for 4-hydroxytestosterone while competing in Nevada, Belfort would be forced to lobby for the TUE with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) before being licensed. The governing body has a policy of not allowing a TUE for TRT if that individual’s needs derive from past non-sanctioned use. According to Weidman, Belfort’s continued TRT creates an unlevel playing field. (via FOX Sports)
“He’s failed a drug test before. He’s on TRT now. I don’t agree with TRT to begin with, so him failing a drug test and being on TRT, I don’t really like it,” he said. “So I appreciate there will be a commission making sure he’s doing things right. I don’t have high testosterone at all. I’m completely fine. I guarantee his testosterone on TRT is two or three times higher than mine. I wake up and I work hard two or three times a day. I don’t feel that there’s a need for it, and if it comes to point where you need it, then you retire, you don’t fight. Fighting is a sport where strength is important, and if you’re going to have extra testosterone, especially after you’ve been caught cheating, it’s unfair.”
Depending on Weidman’s health, the title bout with Belfort is tentatively slotted for Las Vegas, Nevada in May or July, possibly coinciding with the UFC’s Fourth of July weekend. As the promotion historically books large Vegas events (UFC 100, UFC 148, UFC 162) for the holiday, Weidman vs. Belfort would seem to fit the bill.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘I will be back.’ Pedro Rizzo says Anderson Silva plans on returning to fighting.
Fights over breakfast. Chuck Mindenhall gives his first impressions of UFC Fight Pass.
One to watch. Dave Meltzer profiles 17-year-old wrestling phenom Aaron Pico, who’s already being labeled by some as a future UFC champ.
Too far. Firas Zahabi believes the media crossed the line when it came to rumors surrounding Georges St-Pierre’s family.
‘Unfair advantage.’ Michael Bisping says pausing TRT for a single fight shouldn’t be much of an effect on Vitor Belfort because he’ll still have an edge.
MEDIA STEW
Joe Rogan’s top TUF coaching matchups.
I’m led to believe she’s been given some sort of Phantom-like cam. I’m intrigued.
Urijah Faber on Barao vs. Cruz.
Top non-UFC KO’s of 2013.
A reflective Jorge Masvidal.
Team Canada casting for TUF Nations.
WTF moments of 2013.
Long watches.
UFC Singapore: Fight Club Q and A
TWEETS
Victory lap.
Warrior and great opponent! Thank you Lim for this oppt. pic.twitter.com/duNIM0jo3w
— Tarec Saffiedine (@tarecfighter) January 4, 2014
??????? I’m WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://t.co/05qD8igXmj
— ????tatsuya kawajiri (@CRUSHER_MMA) January 4, 2014
This is the @JoeJitsu hop if you guys don’t know! #ufcsingapore pic.twitter.com/bq3i9etrtE
— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) January 5, 2014
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/lFz1XbCCla
— ???? (@kikunokatsunori) January 4, 2014
Straight from the plane. #hawaiianlocomoco pic.twitter.com/JuoYYBOt3x
— russell doane (@RussellDoane135) January 5, 2014
#HAWAIIAN 3-0!!! #undefeated CHEEEEEEE!!! Good job boys!!! @BlessedMMA @DustinKimura @RussellDoane135 @ufc
— Travis Browne (@travisbrowneMMA) January 4, 2014
Congrats on the career.
Hey guys. I have some words to get out there. It’s long form though, so here’s the Facebook link https://t.co/EVW68vL6ZS
— Quinn Mulhern (@QuinnMMA) January 5, 2014
Interesting.
@titoortiz @criscyborg anytime!
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) January 4, 2014
Be safe, you guys.
“@tconn2: @ChrisWeidmanUFC have you ever driven a Harley before?”never even been on the back of one lol
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) January 6, 2014
I’m ok nothig broken.Carryinkid down the stairs this morning.Slipped landed on my back& didn’t let him go.Just scared him Itook the impact.
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) January 4, 2014
Chael unworried.
“@spirit_mma: I am afraid for this guy. @wandfc @ufc_brasil @ufc @UltimateFighter @sonnench pic.twitter.com/vm3F6Jxnil” Zzzzz zzzz zzz…
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) January 5, 2014
Better to be on the outside. Good cause.
Try to relate to their fate!! @peta @clairefryer5 ps we crammed a lot of bodies in this phone booth & it sucked!!! pic.twitter.com/ZBXdehVcjc
— Bec Rowdy Hyatt (@RowdyBec) January 5, 2014
The one who knocks.
Went to go see The Wolf of Wall Street at Bryan Cranston’s theatre and got to meet the man himself 🙂 http://t.co/KJtkTzNedj
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) January 6, 2014
Booster seat.
Last night we were eating burritos after the bar. This drunk guy was being an idiot. We told him to chill. His girlfriend tried be tough.
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) January 5, 2014
She spit on my friend & his food. Since we obviously couldn’t hit her my friend smashed the dudes face with a child booster seat and we left
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) January 5, 2014
All you have to do is ask.
@Bharper3407 Only if you promise to hit a home run while wearing the UFC belt ;). Seriously we’ll send you one if you send us a pic with it!
— UFC (@ufc) January 4, 2014
@Bharper3407 Love it! DM us the address and we’ll get one out to you.
— UFC (@ufc) January 4, 2014
YEP.
“Ice Cold Eichholz” might have a broken nose at the hillbilly brawl in Pendelton http://t.co/T1lKXPMNKP
— Matt Lindland (@mattlindland) January 5, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Jan. 3-5 2014)
John Hathaway vs. Dong Hyun Kim at TUF China Finale
cancelled Gilbert Melendez vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 170
Shawn Jordan vs. Matt Mitrione at TUF China Finale
Hatsu Hioki vs. Ivan Menjivar at TUF China Finale
Yui Chul Nam vs. Kazuki Tokudome at TUF China Finale
Erik Koch vs. Rafaello Oliveira at UFC 170
cancelled Nate Loughran vs. Erick Silva at UFC Fight Night 36
Zach Makovsky vs. Josh Sampo at UFC 170
Rick Story vs. Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 171
Ivan Menjivar vs. Hatsu Hioki at TUF China Finale
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
Lessons Learned and Matches to Make After UFC Fight Night 34
There were certainly some disappointing fights as one fight ended via DQ before the first round even ended and there was a major stinker on the undercard. But considering how well the main event went, I don’t think the UFC was disappointed in how their first card strictly available on the new UFC Fight Pass went.
Tarec Saffiedine and Hyun Gyu Lim both laid it out on the line and gave the fans everything they can ask for. Even though it went all 25 minutes, there were plenty of close stoppages and even a premature celebration from Saffiedine. It was clear that Saffiedine was going to walk out the winner, but Lim pushed himself further than he has before and is bound to grow from the fight as well. Throw in the fact that long time Japanese legend Tatsuya Kawajiri had a successful debut by stoppage which means everything that really mattered went well for the UFC.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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