Tag: TRT

Lavar Johnson Has a Rather Bizarre Explanation for That Failed Drug Test of His


(Awwwwwwwww yeeeaaaaaah. GIF via TheBigLead)

Lavar Johnson‘s once-promising UFC career ended in the least respectable way possible: a boring lay-and-pray loss at the hands of Brendan Schaub at UFC 157, followed by a failed drug test for elevated testosterone, which resulted in Johnson’s release from the promotion and a nine-month suspension from the California State Athletic Commission. But according to “Big,” his botched test wasn’t the result of your everyday anabolic steroid use. The truth is, Johnson got on testosterone replacement therapy in the lead-up to the fight, as a way to combat fatigue and repeated injuries in training, but didn’t disclose it to the CSAC because he figured he’d get away with it. See? Totally different than cheating. As he explained yesterday on The MMA Hour:

“What happened was basically I was on TRT, I just didn’t disclose it to the athletic commission. It was my mistake. I was taking such little amounts; me and my doctor didn’t think anything was going to pop up, like it’s no big deal. I guess any time you’re taking any kind of testosterone it’s going to show on the test. So that’s basically what I got popped for.

“You know, if you take steroids they’ll suspend you for a year. I wasn’t taking steroids. I was prescribed [TRT] by a doctor. They suspended me for nine months, and I ended up showing them my prescription from my doctor and everything. They ended up reducing it to six months. That was it. Unfortunately I got released from the UFC, and messed up the good opportunity.”

Two questions immediately come to mind: 1) Who the hell is Lavar Johnson’s doctor? He “didn’t think anything was going to pop up, like it’s no big deal”? “I guess any time you’re taking any kind of testosterone it’s going to show on the test”?? Are you fucking kidding me? What did they think was going to happen to Johnson’s testosterone levels when he started taking TRT?


(Awwwwwwwww yeeeaaaaaah. GIF via TheBigLead)

Lavar Johnson‘s once-promising UFC career ended in the least respectable way possible: a boring lay-and-pray loss at the hands of Brendan Schaub at UFC 157, followed by a failed drug test for elevated testosterone, which resulted in Johnson’s release from the promotion and a nine-month suspension from the California State Athletic Commission. But according to “Big,” his botched test wasn’t the result of your everyday anabolic steroid use. The truth is, Johnson got on testosterone replacement therapy in the lead-up to the fight, as a way to combat fatigue and repeated injuries in training, but didn’t disclose it to the CSAC because he figured he’d get away with it. See? Totally different than cheating. As he explained yesterday on The MMA Hour:

“What happened was basically I was on TRT, I just didn’t disclose it to the athletic commission. It was my mistake. I was taking such little amounts; me and my doctor didn’t think anything was going to pop up, like it’s no big deal. I guess any time you’re taking any kind of testosterone it’s going to show on the test. So that’s basically what I got popped for.

“You know, if you take steroids they’ll suspend you for a year. I wasn’t taking steroids. I was prescribed [TRT] by a doctor. They suspended me for nine months, and I ended up showing them my prescription from my doctor and everything. They ended up reducing it to six months. That was it. Unfortunately I got released from the UFC, and messed up the good opportunity.”

Two questions immediately come to mind: 1) Who the hell is Lavar Johnson’s doctor? He “didn’t think anything was going to pop up, like it’s no big deal”? “I guess any time you’re taking any kind of testosterone it’s going to show on the test”?? Are you fucking kidding me? What did they think was going to happen to Johnson’s testosterone levels when he started taking TRT?

And 2) Dude, are you sure you want to admit all of this in a public forum? Johnson didn’t disclose the TRT because he knew it was, on some level, cheating. Maybe he wouldn’t have even been able to obtain an official exemption, because then he’d have to prove a need for it, which might have been non-existent. Essentially, his explanation is “I only took a little bit of it because I thought I wouldn’t get caught. Oh well, lesson learned.”

Of course, none of this matters to Bellator, who signed the 36-year-old last month for its Season Nine Heavyweight Tournament, which begins this Friday. Johnson will be facing former UFC embarrassment Vinicius Queiroz in the semis, and says he’ll be off the TRT for it:

“I just don’t even want to take the chance or anything. I’m just going to ride out my career natural. If I get hurt, or if I can’t compete with these guys, then I just won’t fight.

“A lot of people look down on [TRT]. I don’t want to be that guy. I don’t want people to think I need it to be a good fighter to compete with these guys. I’ve been knocking people out since I was like 14 years old. If I can’t compete, and I keep getting injured, then I’ll just be done.”

Today in TRT News: Rothwell Jumps on the Testosterone Train, Brazilian Commission Loses Its Only Accredited Testing Facility


(Doughy, smooth IFL Ben and lean, hairy UFC Ben. Man, that acai berry stuff really works wonders.)

Ben Rothwell has requested and received a Therapeutic Use Exemption for TRT at his upcoming UFC 164 bout in Milwaukee. So has former heavyweight champ Frank Mir, but he’s no stranger to the TRT TUE game.

MMA Junkie obtained the information from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services recently. According to Junkie, both fighters were not available for comment but Rothwell’s opponent Brandon Vera was.

“The Truth” was not amused. “It won’t help,” he said of Rothwell’s TRT use.

In a related story, legendary fighters and noted TRT users Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson will indeed fight as we gave you a heads up about the other day; the match will be held at 205 pounds and it appears that neither fighter will face many obstacles in using TRT to their hearts’ content. Belfort has tested positive for a banned substance before, prompting the chief executive of the world’s most important athletic commission, the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s Keith Kizer, to opine that he didn’t think Vitor would ever be likely to receive a TUE for TRT in the state.

As states like Nevada and New Jersey go, so usually do the rest of the United States. Belfort has fought three out of his last four fights in Brazil with the other taking place in Canada. But hey, Brazil has a regulatory commission, right? They surely do: The Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA).

The doctor who serves as medical director for that commission, Marcio Tannure, recently told MMAFighting.com that “Henderson needs to send him the exams to prove his medical conditions (hypogonadism) to apply for a TRT use, and they will analyze the request,” and that Belfort has blood tested before and after fights to ensure that “his levels are good.” Usually, fighters with TUEs for TRT still have to maintain “normal” testosterone levels.

In the Southern hemisphere, the national Brazilian star Belfort is the one in good standing, his prior failed drug test not being a deterrent to CABMMA in granting him a TUE whereas Henderson, who is allowed his TUE in the states, is the one who appears to face more of a hurdle. Coincidence, I’m sure.

However, don’t expect either Belfort or Henderson to be denied TUEs for TRT because, well, CABMMA’s drug testing isn’t considered to be quite as legitimate by international standards any more. BloodyElbow has the info:


(Doughy, smooth IFL Ben and lean, hairy UFC Ben. Man, that acai berry stuff really works wonders.)

Ben Rothwell has requested and received a Therapeutic Use Exemption for TRT at his upcoming UFC 164 bout in Milwaukee. So has former heavyweight champ Frank Mir, but he’s no stranger to the TRT TUE game.

MMA Junkie obtained the information from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services recently. According to Junkie, both fighters were not available for comment but Rothwell’s opponent Brandon Vera was.

“The Truth” was not amused. “It won’t help,” he said of Rothwell’s TRT use.

In a related story, legendary fighters and noted TRT users Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson will indeed fight as we gave you a heads up about the other day; the match will be held at 205 pounds and it appears that neither fighter will face many obstacles in using TRT to their hearts’ content. Belfort has tested positive for a banned substance before, prompting the chief executive of the world’s most important athletic commission, the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s Keith Kizer, to opine that he didn’t think Vitor would ever be likely to receive a TUE for TRT in the state.

As states like Nevada and New Jersey go, so usually do the rest of the United States. Belfort has fought three out of his last four fights in Brazil with the other taking place in Canada. But hey, Brazil has a regulatory commission, right? They surely do: The Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA).

The doctor who serves as medical director for that commission, Marcio Tannure, recently told MMAFighting.com that “Henderson needs to send him the exams to prove his medical conditions (hypogonadism) to apply for a TRT use, and they will analyze the request,” and that Belfort has blood tested before and after fights to ensure that “his levels are good.” Usually, fighters with TUEs for TRT still have to maintain “normal” testosterone levels.

In the Southern hemisphere, the national Brazilian star Belfort is the one in good standing, his prior failed drug test not being a deterrent to CABMMA in granting him a TUE whereas Henderson, who is allowed his TUE in the states, is the one who appears to face more of a hurdle. Coincidence, I’m sure.

However, don’t expect either Belfort or Henderson to be denied TUEs for TRT because, well, CABMMA’s drug testing isn’t considered to be quite as legitimate by international standards any more. BloodyElbow has the info:

“Brazil’s only WADA accredited testing facility (and thus, only truly legitimate anti-doping testing location) [was] suspended by WADA earlier this month. WADA’s release on the situation said ‘WADA has suspended the accreditation of the LAB DOP – LADETEC / IQ – UFRJ Doping Control Laboratory (LADETEC) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The suspension, which is effective as of August 8, 2013, prohibits the LADETEC from carrying out any WADA-related anti-doping activities.’

“WADA stated that the lab did not meet the International Standard for Laboratories and could face full revocation of their accreditation.”

We’re not saying that either Belfort or Henderson will use TRT in ways that will result in their having higher-than-normal testosterone levels, we’re just saying that, at this point, we should all recognize the fact that there will be no one credible ensuring that they don’t when they fight November 9th. Well, at least neither fighter will be able to use the excuse of not being 100% for the bout.

– Elias Cepeda

Jose Aldo Preemptively Endorses TRT, Insinuates That Randy Couture Used PED’s [THE FUCK?!]


(Always the center of controversy, Aldo caused a major stir up when he triumphantly waved a “White Pride Worldwide” flag after his victory at UFC 142. / Photo via AP)

Although the figures have yet to be made public, early estimates indicate that UFC 163: Aldo vs. Korean Zombie pulled in terrible pay-per-view numbers, to put it nicely. It makes sense, given what the card was facing: A main event featuring one of the lower weight classes (one that was downgraded due to injury, no less), a main card lacking anything resembling star power or intriguing matchups, a bigger PPV at the end of the month, etc. Hell, even Dana White was too caught up in the media whirlwind that was the UFC World Tour to attend the event.

While there’s no denying Jose Aldo’s talents as a fighter, his ability to market himself and draw in big PPV numbers is somewhat less convincing. And with “Scarface” relegated to the sidelines for the rest of the year, what better time than now to start building up his heel persona? We all know that occasionally saying some crazy/accusatory shit in interviews boosts your pay-per-view sales, so who cares if it earns you some dirty looks in the locker rooms?

The reason we say all this is because in a recent interview with Tatame, the normally reserved featherweight kingpin not only came out in support of TRT and stated that he plans on using it in the future, but insinuated that beloved MMA icon Randy “The Natural” Couture was probably on steroids at one point or another during his career.

I don’t see the problem with using TRT. Everybody uses [steroids], from the champion to the newcomer. I believe we [from Nova Uniao] are the only ones that don’t do that, because Andre (Pederneiras) was always against steroids. I think it’s wrong to criticize someone who came forward and said they take TRT. 


(Always the center of controversy, Aldo caused a major stir up when he triumphantly waved a ”White Pride Worldwide” flag after his victory at UFC 142. / Photo via AP)

Although the figures have yet to be made public, early estimates indicate that UFC 163: Aldo vs. Korean Zombie pulled in terrible pay-per-view numbers, to put it nicely. It makes sense, given what the card was facing: A main event featuring one of the lower weight classes (one that was downgraded due to injury, no less), a main card lacking anything resembling star power or intriguing matchups, a bigger PPV at the end of the month, etc. Hell, even Dana White was too caught up in the media whirlwind that was the UFC World Tour to attend the event.

While there’s no denying Jose Aldo’s talents as a fighter, his ability to market himself and draw in big PPV numbers is somewhat less convincing. And with “Scarface” relegated to the sidelines for the rest of the year, what better time than now to start building up his heel persona? We all know that occasionally saying some crazy/accusatory shit in interviews boosts your pay-per-view sales, so who cares if it earns you some dirty looks in the locker rooms?

The reason we say all this is because in a recent interview with Tatame, the normally reserved featherweight kingpin not only came out in support of TRT and stated that he plans on using it in the future, but insinuated that beloved MMA icon Randy “The Natural” Couture was probably on steroids at one point or another during his career.

I don’t see the problem with using TRT. Everybody uses [steroids], from the champion to the newcomer. I believe we [from Nova Uniao] are the only ones that don’t do that, because Andre (Pederneiras) was always against steroids. I think it’s wrong to criticize someone who came forward and said they take TRT. 

Right off the bat, Aldo is tap dancing on thin ice here. Claiming that everyone in MMA from the champion to the newcomer uses steroids, then immediately declaring that your camp is the only one that doesn’t is not only hypocritical, it’s downright suspicious. Whether Aldo realized it or not, making this kind of statement is sure to draw unwanted attention to Nova Uniao that could come back to bite them in the ass down the line. Because obviously everyone is going to assume that the guys doing steroids are the ones pointing their fingers at everyone else when completely unprompted.

“I would just like to thank the Academy for this award while also reminding everyone that I am the only actress in Hollywood to have never whored out my body to a director for a part. Never ever. Helen Mirren, on the other hand…”(*yanked offstage by cane*)

Likely figuring that he had already pissed off a good percentage of the MMA community with his previous statement, Aldo then started naming names like he was a sexual predator being interrogated by detective Elliot Stabler:

Americans always used that. Randy Couture fought until he was 50, and you say he was clean? If the doctors prescribe you and you’re on the limits, OK, I see no problem. If I need that one day, I will use TRT too. 

Woah woah woah, Jose. Let’s not bring nationalities into the equation, because we both know that Brazilians have been the forerunners in shady, deceptive MMA practices since the Vale Tudo days — just ask Mark Coleman. Secondly, Randy Couture is a saint! A saint who just happens to be banned from attending UFC events forevermore. You don’t just go around throwing accusations all willy nilly without the slightest bit of evidence. That’s our job, dammit, and you’re making it look easier than it really is.

–J. Jones

Fight Booking Alert: Vitor Belfort vs. Tim Kennedy Booked For Brazil UFC


(You know, stories that start with a photo of Mike Bisping getting his come-uppance are just more fun | Photo via Reuters)

Tim Kennedy is getting his second famous Brazilian opponent in as many UFC fights. The former Army Ranger and Strikeforce middleweight contender confirmed Friday on twitter that he would fight Vitor Belfort at a yet unannounced Brazil card.

“I’m going to brazil to fight Vitor!” Kennedy tweeted Friday.

The fight will be Belfort’s fourth fight in Brazil in his last five fights. That’s good for the UFC for two reasons – 1. Belfort has a tendency to test positive for banned substances, takes TRT and likely wouldn’t get a Therapeutic Use Exemption for it in Nevada so in unregulated Brazil, Vitor can go ahead and be Vitor – whatever that may entail. 2. Vitor is really, really popular in Brazil.

We’re not saying that the UFC is reckless and stupid enough to endanger their hard-earned standing in the sports world as a legitimate sports promotion by booking Belfort in places where he can do things he couldn’t do elsewhere, but they are certainly fortunate that they have other marquee locale options other than Vegas to promote a star of his caliber.  In any case, the fight will be a big opportunity for Kennedy to break into the top 5 or so of UFC middleweights.

Belfort is on a tear of late, with three straight knock out wins at middleweight, a submission win over Anthony Johnson at a fatcatchweight. The only guy who has beaten Belfort lately is Jon Jones – and Vitor almost broke that kid’s arm before losing.

What do you think, nation? Does Kennedy have what it takes to beat Belfort and move ahead in the middleweight division or will he get starched quickly like his former Strikeforce stablemate and foe, Luke Rockhold?

– Elias Cepeda


(You know, stories that start with a photo of Mike Bisping getting his come-uppance are just more fun | Photo via Reuters)

Tim Kennedy is getting his second famous Brazilian opponent in as many UFC fights. The former Army Ranger and Strikeforce middleweight contender confirmed Friday on twitter that he would fight Vitor Belfort at a yet unannounced Brazil card.

“I’m going to brazil to fight Vitor!” Kennedy tweeted Friday.

The fight will be Belfort’s fourth fight in Brazil in his last five fights. That’s good for the UFC for two reasons – 1. Belfort has a tendency to test positive for banned substances, takes TRT and likely wouldn’t get a Therapeutic Use Exemption for it in Nevada so in unregulated Brazil, Vitor can go ahead and be Vitor – whatever that may entail. 2. Vitor is really, really popular in Brazil.

We’re not saying that the UFC is reckless and stupid enough to endanger their hard-earned standing in the sports world as a legitimate sports promotion by booking Belfort in places where he can do things he couldn’t do elsewhere, but they are certainly fortunate that they have other marquee locale options other than Vegas to promote a star of his caliber.  In any case, the fight will be a big opportunity for Kennedy to break into the top 5 or so of UFC middleweights.

Belfort is on a tear of late, with three straight knock out wins at middleweight, a submission win over Anthony Johnson at a fatcatchweight. The only guy who has beaten Belfort lately is Jon Jones – and Vitor almost broke that kid’s arm before losing.

What do you think, nation? Does Kennedy have what it takes to beat Belfort and move ahead in the middleweight division or will he get starched quickly like his former Strikeforce stablemate and foe, Luke Rockhold?

– Elias Cepeda

The War on Drugs: California Ruling Strikes Down TRT Exemptions for MMA Fighters Until Further Notice


(Image via Fightland/RyanLoco)

A decision made during a California State Athletic Commission meeting in Los Angeles on Monday could have a major impact on the ongoing testosterone replacement therapy debate in MMA. Among the topics covered during the eight-hour session was a new proposed rule that would standardize the process for obtaining therapeutic use exemptions for testosterone. But the rule was successfully challenged by Department of Consumer Affairs lawyer Michael Santiago. As FightOpinion reports:

“[Santiago] said that until there is a statute/regulation on the books regarding testosterone that the commission should not be using an ‘underground’ policy of approving T usage. He argued that testosterone is considered a banned substance.

The end result is that fighters like Dan Henderson, Chael Sonnen, and Frank Mir will not be allowed to use testosterone while fighting in California until a law is on the books that explicitly spells out approval for T usage…[T]he UFC will be furious about this development given how many guys they have fighting in California who love testosterone. Vitor Belfort’s sympathy plea for continued testosterone usage means he won’t be fighting in California any time soon…


(Image via Fightland/RyanLoco)

A decision made during a California State Athletic Commission meeting in Los Angeles on Monday could have a major impact on the ongoing testosterone replacement therapy debate in MMA. Among the topics covered during the eight-hour session was a new proposed rule that would standardize the process for obtaining therapeutic use exemptions for testosterone. But the rule was successfully challenged by Department of Consumer Affairs lawyer Michael Santiago. As FightOpinion reports:

“[Santiago] said that until there is a statute/regulation on the books regarding testosterone that the commission should not be using an ‘underground’ policy of approving T usage. He argued that testosterone is considered a banned substance.

The end result is that fighters like Dan Henderson, Chael Sonnen, and Frank Mir will not be allowed to use testosterone while fighting in California until a law is on the books that explicitly spells out approval for T usage…[T]he UFC will be furious about this development given how many guys they have fighting in California who love testosterone. Vitor Belfort’s sympathy plea for continued testosterone usage means he won’t be fighting in California any time soon…

Santiago’s position will now put UFC in an interesting dilemma — will they huff and bluff by backing away from running shows in California or will they accept the new reality on the ground? If UFC backs away from California, it will cost the commission’s budget big time. UFC wants to talk tough about testosterone usage now, so let’s see if they will back up their public talk by walking the walk with future California events.”

At the moment, the UFC does not have any events scheduled in the state of California through September, and you have to wonder if they’ll keep their distance for the time being, if only to save themselves the hassle. Though UFC president Dana White has come out strongly against hormone-replacement therapy among fighters in his promotion, marquee fighters like Vitor Belfort, Dan Henderson, and Chael Sonnen continue to use TRT as a prerequisite for competition.

The good news is, the California ruling could be the first real step towards a more level playing field in the sport. We’ll keep you posted.

Vitor Belfort Is Testing the [Expletive] Out of Himself, Apparently


(Vitor anxiously waits to find out what kinds of drugs he’ll be testing.)

Trying to get Vitor Belfort to issue a clear statement about his relationship with testosterone replacement therapy has been pretty much impossible over the past few months. So far, what we know is that the thirty-five year old Brazilian – who has failed a drug test in the past – was granted a TUE for TRT prior to his UFC on FX 7 victory over Michael Bisping, but none of that matters because when you judge people, it sounds like you are a god and freedom and privacy and all that other fun stuff. Not that I’m trying to sound like a god or anything, but shady, evasive non-answers like these are one of the many reasons that Dana White has recently promised to crack down on TRT usage.

Yet at a press conference for UFC on FX 8, Belfort gave the reporters on hand a straightforward answer about his usage, claiming not only that he tests himself regularly to ensure that his levels stay within the acceptable range, but also that the UFC has always known about his usage. Via Tatame:

“The UFC always knew that I use, do not do it to cheat. I have medical monitoring and UFC also accompanies it. Never broken through anything, always acted cleanly. Do blood tests every week to equal the testosterone levels of a person my age. Many people are averse to treatment. I am not. I am in favor of people being open and fair in what they are doing.”


(Vitor anxiously waits to find out what kinds of drugs he’ll be testing.)

Trying to get Vitor Belfort to issue a clear statement about his relationship with testosterone replacement therapy has been pretty much impossible over the past few months. So far, what we know is that the thirty-five year old Brazilian – who has failed a drug test in the past – was granted a TUE for TRT prior to his UFC on FX 7 victory over Michael Bisping, but none of that matters because when you judge people, it sounds like you are a god and freedom and privacy and all that other fun stuff. Not that I’m trying to sound like a god or anything, but shady, evasive non-answers like these are one of the many reasons that Dana White has recently promised to crack down on TRT usage.

Yet at a press conference for UFC on FX 8, Belfort gave the reporters on hand a straightforward answer about his usage, claiming not only that he tests himself regularly to ensure that his levels stay within the acceptable range, but also that the UFC has always known about his usage. Via Tatame:

“The UFC always knew that I use, do not do it to cheat. I have medical monitoring and UFC also accompanies it. Never broken through anything, always acted cleanly. Do blood tests every week to equal the testosterone levels of a person my age. Many people are averse to treatment. I am not. I am in favor of people being open and fair in what they are doing.”

Interesting if true. Of course, this statement raises more questions than it answers, but considering how dodgy Belfort has been about even acknowledging testosterone replacement therapy in the past, let’s take pride in the little victories and move forward.

Perhaps just as interesting as Belfort’s comments are the comments made by his UFC on FX 8 opponent, Luke Rockhold:

“I do not use and I see no problems, provided it is within the rules. TRT is part of the sport and now I just want to make sure that the fighters are being tested and are at normal levels. “

So a healthy twenty-eight year old athlete isn’t using testosterone replacement therapy, and we’re supposed to feel…good I guess? In a strange way, yes. As Rockhold pointed out – and as further demonstrated by TRT usage from people who blatantly don’t need TRT – the treatment is as much a part of our sport now as sprawl training. Despite the fact that there’s no reason for Rockhold to need TRT, it is still pretty gutsy of him to compete without it. And to think, some people still stereotype the MMA community as steroid abusing lunatics.

UFC on FX 8 goes down on May 18 from the Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil.

@SethFalvo