During a weekend edition of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, UFC commentator Joe Rogan may have let it slip that Vitor Belfort did indeed fail his February drug test with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). Belfort was issued the test while visiting Las Vegas for the ‘2013 MMA Awards,’ but the results of the test have never been made public.
Rogan was explaining the end of TRT exemptions and said, “They did it to Vitor…random drug test. And Vitor was on testosterone. That’s the reason that testosterone got banned in the first place. The whole thing went down when Vitor tested positive with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, after that. Before that, they were considering him for a testosterone exemption….And because he tested positive they scrapped the whole testosterone program.”
Belfort was originally set to face UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman at UFC 173, but withdrew from the bout less than 24 hours after the NSAC unanimously voted to ban the use of testosterone replacement therapy in Nevada. Replaced by Lyoto Machida in a title fight now slated for UFC 175 on Jul. 5 in Las Vegas, Belfort submitted an application in May to compete against Chael Sonnen at the marquee event.
According to NSAC Executive Director Robert Bennett, Belfort’s application will undergo a ‘comprehensive review’ at a Jun. 17 meeting of commission officials, upon which Belfort’s fate will be decided. Bennett has also stated that the commission will likely require Belfort to undergo supplementary drug testing before the commission reviews his license.
Rogan’s comments on Belfort begin at 1:30:00.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Going to 11. Dana White now says Jon Jones has five fights remains on his current deal and that he is delaying signing his new contract because he doesn’t want to fight Alexander Gustafsson. Jones wants Daniel Cormier.
Spider in 2015. Ed Soares says Anderson Silva is intent on returning in 2015, possibly against Nick Diaz.
‘Let’s do it.’ Greg Jackson wouldn’t mind seeing the rematch between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson.
WSOF on NBC. World Series of Fighting exec Ali Abdel-Aziz sees the bright side of hosting the promotion’s biggest card to date the same day as UFC 175. ‘We couldn’t ask for a better partner at this moment than them. I think the sky’s the limit.’
Nightmare. Diego Sanchez says he’s ‘feeling the pressure’ to call it a career.
Make sure to check out The MMA Hour featuring Diego Sanchez, Tyron Woodley, Greg Jackson, Ed Soares, Patrick Cummins, and The MMA Beat with Luke Thomas and Chuck Mindenhall.
MEDIA STEW
UFC 174: Extended Preview.
New rivalry series. Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen.
TTTHS.
Highlights from ONE FC 16: Honor & Glory.
Georges St-Pierre’s worst job ever.
EA Sports UFC demo fight between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson.
Ryan Bader reads mean comments.
Long watches.
Joe Rogan Experience #508 – TJ Dillashaw & Duane Ludwig
…
Renato Laranja Show: Episode 2 (Featuring Rener Gracie)
TWEETS
Barista + C-3PO = title shot?
“@looper__joe: @dc_mma Looks like you may get that title shot soon! http://t.co/T79aiEyJ9Q” let’s do it!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 2, 2014
“@z_allik1BGC: @dc_mma if Jones doesn’t make it passed the mauler would you still want to fight Jones?” No the champion
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 2, 2014
Very aloof.
What contract? “@TheLareBear: @JonnyBones hey bones, you sign that contract yet?”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 2, 2014
I got nothing 🙂 “@BiggAlskins: @JonnyBones a lot of people calling you out champ, no response?”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 2, 2014
Is that the latest rumor? “@neoweo: @JonnyBones you going to bellator?”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 2, 2014
Fights to make.
Boss…@danawhite me and TJ had a very close fight in which I won and he thought he did…pls let’s make this rematch for my shot at title?!
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) June 3, 2014
@EdSoares saw your recent interview. I would, in the most respectful way,love to welcome @SpiderAnderson back to the octagon,when he’s ready
— michael (@bisping) June 2, 2014
So it appears @mousasi_mma is ranked #7 at middleweight now… right behind me…. Curious…
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) June 2, 2014
Buddies.
Well since I don’t get to do it I’m going to enjoy watching my boy @Ruthless_RL knock out @IamTheImmortal 🙂 pic.twitter.com/TvS8Yv9rbT
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) June 2, 2014
Honest.
The biggest trilogy in the history of MMA is upon us!!!July 5th, BurkmanvsFitch! Okay, maybe not… But it will be a good one. #WSOF11 #MMA
— Joshua Burkman (@JoshBurkman) June 2, 2014
They’re mine.
“@NickRil3y: @DustinPoirier the notorious leprechaun is your nightmare?”No he’s easy work
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) June 3, 2014
Congrats.
Welcome to the world my little baby girl!! Your Mommy is one tough cookie. reneeedgar http://t.co/fVasLMZoAq
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) June 3, 2014
Damn.
This losers got no friends pic.twitter.com/fVff5jkLfK
— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) June 2, 2014
Rare footage.
I’ve had some run ins w/the law in the past. This one was caught on film. Still I can give compliments where due http://t.co/jeIvpFdSSw
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) June 3, 2014
Spoiler alert.
When you got a man hurt, FINISH HIM! Don’t play games. #GOT
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) June 2, 2014
Just givin’ bikes away.
My sponsor @elementtattoo just gave me my 1st street bike.. Now time 2 practice riding b4 I hit the… http://t.co/2HjO1lHUR9
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) June 3, 2014
My new bike thanks Scott pic.twitter.com/skfCg4UfXY
— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) June 3, 2014
So much Mix-a-Rita.
This is @cowboycerrone idea of keeping everyone hydrated at the lake. #LetTheFunBegin pic.twitter.com/nHB9Yq202E
— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) May 31, 2014
“@RocCaplan: @KyleNoke @Cowboycerrone you guys don’t believe in Kegs do you?”hard to take a keg on the boat mate
— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) May 31, 2014
Crazy.
I almost bought a sick of pepperoni tonight. So glad I walked out of grocery empty handed. It’da been gone in 24hrs. #TRUTH
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) June 3, 2014
S/O to @mattmitrione that boy crazy!!!
— Abel Trujillo (@AbelTrujillo1) June 2, 2014
Fighters and ring card girls united in twerking.
Apparently twerking just happens naturally for me when I’m working out http://t.co/n6uLJY8Y0N
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) June 2, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (June 2 2014)
Richie Vaculik vs. Roldan Sangcha-an at UFC Fight Night: Te Huna vs. Marquardt
Valerie Letourneau vs. Milana Dudieva at UFC 174
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via HerrDannyboy.
Why 2013 Kicked this MMA Fan’s @ss Part 6: June: The Thrill of Brazil, the Agony of Winnipeg
Preamble
All right, let’s pick up where we left off, shall we?
In June, 2013 resumes its ass kicking ways using a different approach.
It brings me sensory overload and great joy with a Limb-snapping, record-breaking, submission extravaganza, then tortures me like Bolton’s Bastard does Theon with:
A Canadian PPV that was doomed from the get-go (featuring Jake Shields)
Brendan Schaub in a grappling competition.
*****We start off the month with UFC on Fuel TV: Nogueira vs. Werdum live from Fortaleza, Brazil, a veritable gambler’s nightmare as it’s no wiki page Brazilian versus no wiki page Brazilian and virtually no Americans to be thrown to the wolves.
Doesn’t matter.
That’s why the Gambling Gods gave us coins to flip, and Brazilian cards always deliver.
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.