The drug test results for UFC on FX 8, which was held in Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, have been returned by the commission and released by the promotion on Thursday.
The Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA) released the results through the UFC, with all of the fighters on the card passing the tests.
“The UFC has been informed by CABMMA that all fighters on the UFC on FX 8 card passed their pre and post-fight drug tests,” UFC officials said in a statement released. “The UFC fully supports the drug testing efforts of all regulatory agencies. All fighters are drug tested at every event and the organization maintains a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance-enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents.”
The testing results on this show were of particular interest due to the involvement of former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort, who is currently prescribed to use testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) leading up to his fight camps.
Belfort has come under hard scrutiny for his use of the treatment because in 2006 he tested positive for steroids while fighting under the Pride Fighting Championships banner.
Marcio Tannure, the medical director for the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission, also confirmed when speaking to Fighter’s Only, that because of Belfort‘s use of TRT, the commission requires an additional blood test to verify his testosterone levels are in order.
“All fighters are tested before the fight, and six fighters are drawn to be tested again after the fight,” Tannure said in the interview. “Since Vitor is in treatment, he was also required to perform a blood test to check if his testosterone levels are normal. We can’t tell the lab’s name because of medical confidentiality.”
The Brazilian commission had come under some fire for allowing Belfort to use TRT in the country despite the fact that he had a past steroid suspension on his record. Steroid abuse can cause low testosterone in men, and while it’s unknown if that was the cause of Belfort‘s medical issues, it is still a factor that has to be considered.
Regardless, the testing results on all of the fighters on the UFC on FX 8 card came back negative, so it’s onto the next card. The UFC 160 drug test results from the Nevada State Athletic Commission will be the next ones released in the coming days.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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