UFC Middleweight Vitor Belfort looked like a new ‘Old Vitor’ in his most recent bout against Michael Bisping at UFC on FX 7 in Brazil. Belfort had permission from the UFC-affiliated athletic commission there to use testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
But don’t expect Belfort to get the same consideration in Nevada, a jurisdiction where he failed a steroid test while fighting for Pride Fighting Championships back in 2006. Damon Martin spoke to Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer:
“I don’t see Vitor Belfort getting a TRT exemption from us. I really don’t and I feel kind of bad for him in some ways because if he has learned from his mistakes and now he’s trying to do it the right way and his levels are low with the treatment good for him and I hope he is doing that.”
Kizer also addressed the issue of Chael Sonnen who will be fighting in Nevada for the Light Heavyweight title against champion Jon Jones at UFC 159. Sonnen failed a post-fight urine test in Calfornia for elevated testosterone ratios.
“(Chael Sonnen) handled himself well and some people handle themselves well,” said Kizer. “Some guys are going to have to jump through some additional hoops, but even Chael wasn’t a prior steroid (user) that could have caused the deficiency like Vitor.”
It will be very interesting to see if the UFC books Belfort to fight in Nevada anytime soon.
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