There are definitely times when I look at Vitor Belfort’s career resurgence and can’t help but feel very underwhelmed by it knowing that a lot of it came thanks to the magical power of TRT. It isn’t that Vitor Belfort is the first guy to turn to TRT or that he’s the worst offender, it’s just that he’s become the TRT crusader over the past year. Somehow it feels hollow to see Vitor Belfort stacking up solid wins while all that anyone can talk about is his TRT usage.
He had claimed in the past that he would not pursue a TUE (therapeutic use exemption) for a fight in the US against Chris Weidman, but now it seems that his stance has changed. Surprise, surprise. [source]
Vitor Belfort told UFC Tonight’s Ariel Helwani on Wednesday that he is going to ask for a therapeutic use exemption for testosterone for his next fight, which is expected to be against middleweight champion Chris Weidman later this year in Las Vegas.
The statement contradicted an earlier statement by manager Glenn Robinson, who said on The MMA Hour that he didn’t think Belfort would apply for a TUE in Nevada.
Belfort said he regarded the testosterone use as medication that he needs. In theory, a TUE for testosterone should only be granted if someone’s natural production of testosterone is at well under normal levels, and thus not having enough testosterone in the body is a health concern. Taking testosterone, an anabolic steroid, is otherwise prohibited in most major sports.