Ahead Of UFC 187, Vitor Belfort’s Testosterone Levels Revealed
Highly controversial Brazilian Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort will finally get the chance to win his third UFC title in three different weight classes when he meets middleweight kingpin Chris Weidman in the co-main event of tomorrow night’s (May 23, 2015) UFC 187. With Belfort having failed a drug test in 2013 for elevated levels of testosterone, and a duo of Weidman injuries in 2014, the bout has been scheduled and rescheduled multiple times, and will finally happen tomorrow night.
Due to his history of steroid abuse and highly documented use of the now banned Testosterone-Replacement-Therapy (TRT), which Belfort was on during his historic string of devastating knockouts during 2013, “The Phenom” has been tested by the Nevada Athletic Commission more than ever during this fight camp, and apparently he’s finally clean.
Recently Belfort’s pre-fight testosterone levels, as well as Weidman’s, were released in a report from Combate (Via MMAMania). Oddly enough, the Brazilian still has higher levels than the champion despite being older and off of TRT:
“On March 16, Belfort was tested and scored 12 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of testosterone in the body, as well as a testosterone-epitestosterone (T/E) 1.7 — the maximum rate allowed by NAC is 6/1. Weidman was tested on March 30, and was 3.7 ng/mL testosterone and a rate T/E of 0.13. The American went through the same exam again on April 27, and appeared with identical testosterone level, and a rate T/E of 0.092. The Brazilian was examined the following day, and had 5 ng/ml of testosterone and rate T/E 1.5.”
Just a day before the fight, Belfort acknowledged the fact that after all this time it’s finally here. He also noted that he’s not worried about any of the tests or any of his levels as he has been tested many times. All he’s worried about is the fight:
“To tell you the truth, who does the exams is the athletic commission,” Belfort told Combate. “Mine worked out, his worked out, and we are here. Nowadays, I’m not worried about it, I’m focused on what I can control.”
Both men also tested negative for any performance-enhancing-drugs (PEDs), which means we will have a fair playing field when the cage door closes.
Having always possessed brute explosiveness, speed, and pure power throughout his illustrious career, it’s hard to believe that the loss of TRT could completely take all of that away from “The Phenom”, although it will probably have an effect on him nonetheless.
Are you giving Belfort any chance against the monster that is Chris Weidman?
