While everyone seems to think Vitor Belfort will be unable to compete at the same level that he did while using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), the Brazilian believes he’s actually better off without it.
Speaking to SporTV (translation via MMA Fighting), Belfort said that he’s actually a better fighter without the TRT:
It was better for me (the end of TRT) because I left a boring treatment that was bothering me, and now I'm stronger, lighter and faster. So, for me, it was wonderful. Doesn't matter what my blood says, nor the result of the blood test. What matters is what is in my head. It was banned? There is no problem. I took 2014 to improve some techniques. I know that is hard to believe but I'm better now. I have been improving my skills, my kicks, my boxing, my endurance, my grappling, my strength and my footwork.
This would appear to be in contrast to Belfort’s previous stance that he believed he needed TRT based on one doctor’s advice, per MMAjunkie. But the Brazilian’s most recent comments echo that of a fighter with renewed confidence despite having to alter previous medical treatment.
Belfort had long been the face of TRT (and PEDs in general) in the MMA game for years, and it finally came to a head when news broke that he had failed a random drug test for elevated testosterone earlier this year.
He would release documents showing the test results on his Instagram page.
Originally scheduled to face UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman at UFC 181, Belfort will have to wait to get his chance at UFC gold at UFC 184 after Weidman suffered an injury. Belfort was less than enthused about Weidman’s injury.
“To me, he wanted to keep his belt during the Christmas and that was the only way,” Belfort said, per Combate.com (via Bloody Elbow).
Weidman continues to point the focus of their upcoming fight towards Belfort and his drug test results (or lack thereof), but Belfort has had no issues with lab results thus far.
A Belfort-Weidman fight already had plenty of intrigue given the late-career resurgence of the Brazilian, but when you add in the fact that Belfort is claiming to be even better without TRT, fans should be in for quite the spectacle at UFC 184.
