Just two months removed from signing a six-fight contract with the UFC, Dan Henderson doesn’t sound too sure about how much of it he’ll actually be honoring. With the recent sweeping ban of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), something Henderson has been issued a final use exemption for in this weekend’s main event with Mauricio Rua, the 43-year-old is left scratching his head.
“I don’t know. I’m sure there’s a lot of guys who need [TRT] and a lot of guys who were on it that didn’t, but I have no idea,” Henderson tells FOX Sports. “The biggest issue is that it didn’t solve any problems by taking it away. It doesn’t really address the real issue of tackling the problem of performance enhancing drugs.
“I think if they really wanted to make a statement they should have done more drug testing and implemented no advance notice in drug testing. Show up at guys’ houses at odd hours and make them give blood and pee in a cup.”
With other TRT advocates like Chael Sonnen beginning to open up about concerns over maintaining the quality of their careers and lives after stopping the treatment, Henderson says he’ll confront that reality once he’s done with Shogun.
“I’m pretty much going to get this fight handled and worry about the changes later,” says Henderson. “I don’t need to make any decisions now. I’m going to have to do some research and see what’s out there.
“I’m sure my levels were low before I started taking [TRT] for years and I got by just fine. It’s just unfortunate that a doctor’s prescription for something that would make me healthier can’t be used in this situation. Like I said, the biggest issue is they need to do some better drug testing.”
Dan Henderson meets Mauricio Rua in the main event this Sunday, Mar. 23 at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Henderson 2 from Ginásio Nélio Dias in Natal, Brazil.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
GSP on PED’s. Georges St-Pierre claims the UFC was well aware of his concerns regarding performance enhancing drugs in MMA before he spoke out publicly. “If you get caught on steroids right now, it’s because you’re very disorganized. It’s so easy to beat the test. It’s ridiculous. It’s not a real test.”
Elbow problems. New UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks says he considered pulling out of his UFC 171 title bout with Robbie Lawler due to an injured elbow.
Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer explains where Johny Hendricks, Tyron Woodley, Hector Lombard, Myles Jury and Dennis Bermudez go from here following UFC 171.
Round III. Chael Sonnen admits he’d like a third fight with Anderson Silva, but also hopes the GOAT hangs it up rather than make a return to MMA.
Get paid. Holly Holm and her team want to make sure she’ll be well compensated should she make the move to the UFC. “She’s got to make at least what she makes here [in Legacy FC], and we’re close on that.”
It’s Tuesday, so make sure to check out The MMA Hour featuring Shaun Al-Shatti, Georges St-Pierre, Johny Hendricks, Tyron Woodley, Herb Dean and Thiago Alves.
MEDIA STEW
Joe Rogan teaching some D’Arce choke tweaks to Danny Castillo, T.J. Dillashaw and Miss USA.
Excited?
Rampage Jackson and King Mo talk fickle MMA fandom and prolonging careers.
The stunning conclusion of Death Knuckle.
Brutal liver shots from Paul Buentello at Legacy 22.
That four second KO from yesterday should just feel plain bad about itself.
Long watches.
Co-Main Event Podcast Episode 95 (3/17/14)
UFC Middle Weight Champ Chris Weidman _PHOENIX’s VLOG
UFC 171 Post-Mortem – Among the Ruins with Nate & Eugene
TWEETS
Very cool.
The canvas from @UFC 171. Def has some of my DNA! Now at my gym @VelocitiFitness. THANK YOU @danawhite pic.twitter.com/fz6Qh5B8g0
— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) March 17, 2014
The life.
Enjoying every minute of life outside the Octagon- had a great time watching UFC 171 with my idol @Schwarzenegger!!! pic.twitter.com/8ObxAzQP5g
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) March 17, 2014
Also congratulations to new UFC champ Johny Hendricks and my friend Alex Garcia for their wins!
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) March 17, 2014
Still not signed?
Why won’t he sign? What else is he going to do? Go play tennis? That’s out. He’s got a racket but has no balls.
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) March 17, 2014
Agree?
I deserve a title shot period
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) March 17, 2014
Support for Woodley.
@DerekBrunsonMMA can’t be mad at him bro that man is definitely doing everything to get to that belt
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) March 17, 2014
Weidmen checks kick Silva breaks leg =good technic by fans/media, Woodley double legs Condit blows out knee =fluke by fans/media #mindblown
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) March 17, 2014
Get well soon.
@CarlosCondit praying for you bro!
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) March 18, 2014
Thank you Dr. Gelbe,my shoulder is getting better…. A cada dia ficando melhor do meu ombro e louco pra voltar a… http://t.co/GqFhCINIDP
— Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) March 17, 2014
The Eagle has landed.
DC and Luke 👍👍👍😂😂😂 http://t.co/KO1QiDivJl
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) March 17, 2014
A little Spider guard, anyone?
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Mar. 17 2014)
NA
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
What We NOW Know About UFC 171 Main Card… And What Should NOW Be Done
Everything about this card seemed to go well except for one hitch… and I’ll get to that after I gush over how awesome the fight for the welterweight title was!
Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler clearly left everything that they had out in the cage and left no butts in the seats in Dallas. The only thing that the fight lacked was a finish and it feels more appropriate that it didn’t have one. Neither man deserved to be considered a definitive winner, though it should be stated that the decision seemed definitive enough. If you missed the fight, stop reading at the end of this sentence, find someway to watch it as soon as possible, and treat yourself. If you continue to read the end will be spoiled for you.
As for the hitch, Carlos Condit blew out his knee. I could go into more detail, but it would just depress me even further. I admit that Tyron Woodley was winning the fight up to that point, but he was also beginning to gas and it seemed Condit would turn it up to the next gear very soon. Considering Condit was considered to be the best active welterweight in the world not involved in a title fight, this throws a serious wrench in the division standings. We’ll have to be patient to see what will happen from there.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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