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When the drug tests results were published following UFC ON FX 7, the UFC revealed that headlining Middleweight Vitor Belfort had been granted a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for Testosterone Replacement Therapy leading up to his KO win over Michael Bisping. Many also believe Belfort was the recipient of the TUE confirmed for UFC 152 to an unnamed fighter.
While TRT has always been a controversial topic in MMA, but it's even more so with Belfort. Way back in 2006, Vitor tested positive for 4-Hydroxytestosterone after his fight with Dan Henderson at Pride 32. This previous failed test and the perception that Belfort's reported hypogonadism is self-inflicted and so doesn't deserve an exemption. However, that is not a hard and fast rule. Belfort was granted a TUE by the Brazilian commission via the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Today, Tatame confirmed that Belfort will also be able to get a TUE for his upcoming fight against Luke Rockhold at UFC On FX 8:
"He's been through this process, then we have the history," says Márcio Tannure, medical director of the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA), revealing that tests the fighter in Las Vegas will be the basis for its release in the country.
Additionally, Guilherme Cruz of Tatame explained on Twitter that Belfort will not be tested by the CABMMA leading up to the event:
@mmasupremacy Interesting note: CABMMA won't even test Vitor now. They'll use NSAC previous exams and grant him the TRT
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) February 15, 2013
So it appears that Belfort will probably compete at FX 8 with TRT without any further scrutiny. Although he may have to watch out for UFC president Dana White who went on an anti-TRT rant Friday. What does this mean for his opponent Luke Rockhold in what could very possible be a contendership match? The former Strikeforce champ told Duane Finley of Bleacher Report that he's not worried about it:
I don't really care. I'm going out there and I'm going to do what I do. I'm going to beat people whether they are on it or they are clean. I'm a clean fighter and I'm going to go out there and I am going to do my job. It doesn't matter to me. Honestly I get more satisfaction beating people who are on the stuff.
We'll find out on May 18 if Rockhold will get his satisfaction at UFC On FX 8. The event will take place in Santa Catarina, Brazil and will feature a fight between Ronaldo Souza and Costantinos Philippou. Welterweight Paulo Thiago is also expected to fight on the card, but his opponent hasn't been named yet.
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