Dana White seems happy with Association of Ringside Physicians call to eliminate TRT exemptions

With the Association of Ringside Physicians releasing a statement making it clear that they are against the use of Testosterone Replacement Therapy, UFC president Dana White is making his stance on TRT even more clear. White has never seemed "in favor" of TRT, at times stressing that the promotion will test those with exemptions for the treatment as much as they can.

In light of the ARP release, White had the following to say (via ESPN):

"The doctors came out and said they want to ban it? Well, that's the answer," White told The Associated Press on Monday. "It's legal in the sport. The commissions let you do it. You get an exemption, and you have to be monitored and all the stuff that's going on, but if they're going to do away with it? There you go. It's a problem solved."

Vitor Belfort's exemption is probably the most controversial in all of the UFC, given that Belfort has previously failed a drug test for anabolic steroids, the idea that he should be given an allowance to use "legal steroids" rubs many the wrong way. White also talked about Vitor:

"He drives me crazy, and me and Vitor were not on good terms a few months ago," White said. "Just because this whole TRT thing, I think, is unfair, and I said we're going to test the living (daylights) out of him (during training). And we have, and he has complied, and he has been within the limits he's supposed to have."

...

"We couldn't be more proactive," White said. "Drugs hurt us. Hurts our sport. Let alone our perception in the media and everything -- it destroys great athletes. Drugs destroy great athletes, because once you start on them, you can never get off them. You're on them for the rest of your career."

Belfort will be seeking an exemption in Nevada for his UFC middleweight title fight with Chris Weidman. Former NSAC executive director Keith Kizer said that he doubted Vitor could get an exemption given his positive steroid test in the state. But Kizer has left that role. While executive director doesn't make the decision on the exemption, he could certainly lean on the board members who do. So it will be an interesting situation to follow.