Rockhold says Belfort 'main culprit' for TRT, calls for universal UFC regulation

In an interview today with MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) about his octagon debut at UFC on FX 8, final Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold (10-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) called his opponent, ex-UFC champ Vitor Belfort (22-10 MMA, 11-6 UFC), “the main culprit right now for TRT.”

Asked about the UFC’s recent pledge to increase monitoring of testosterone-replacement therapy among its athletes, Rockhold offered, “They’re letting him fight in Brazil and use TRT when Nevada doesn’t let him, so who knows what’s going on?”

At a press conference in Brazil for the event, which takes place May 18 at Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Rockhold said he didn’t have a problem with Belfort’s use of TRT. But in subsequent interviews, his opinion has changed.

Rockhold said he doesn’t care whether Belfort is using TRT when they step into the cage for their FX-televised headliner, but it’s provided extra motivation in training camp.

“It pisses me off a little bit that (Brazil) is the only place that he’s fighting, and I think he needs to be dealt with,” Rockhold said. “I’m excited about going to Brazil. I’ve got a free trip. I get to get paid, and I get to kick someone’s ass.”

Following Belfort’s knockout of Michael Bisping at UFC on FX 7, which took place in Sao Paulo, the UFC revealed it granted Belfort a therapeutic-use exemption for TRT. Belfort dodged questions about his use prior to the fight.

Since then, “The Phenom” has defended his use of TRT and said the UFC monitors his use.

Meanwhile, UFC President Dana White reversed his stance on the treatment, vowing to “test the s–t” out of anyone using the treatment.

The promotion previously has ordered independent drug testing for events held in Brazil, though UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner said those duties, as well as applications for TRT exemptions, are now handled by the Comissao Atletica Brasileira de MMA (CABMMA), which is a member of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). (Ratner chairs the IMMAF’s technical committee.)

Rockhold, for his part, said there should be one athletic commission to regulate the industry-leading MMA promotion. He said it should mirror the Nevada State Athletic Commission, whose executive director already has said Belfort, who tested positive for a steroid following a 2006 fight in Las Vegas, would be unlikely to get a TUE to use the hormone.

“I think Nevada should be the standard for all over the world,” Rockhold said. “I don’t think it should vary from state to state and country to country. I think if it’s OK there, it’s OK everywhere, and I think there should be more testing. I think there should be testing for bout camp, beforehand and after.

“I doubt that will happen, but who knows. I’d be willing to do blood tests.”

For the latest on UFC on FX 8, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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