V. Belfort (photo) is the main athlete to use TRT on the UFC roster. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
The controversy over Testosterone Replacement Treatment (TRT) gained another chapter this Monday (27). According to the website of the North American channel “FOX Sports”, the Association of Fighting Specialists (ARP) released a statement condemning the use of the treatment and calling for the drastic limitation of its use in mixed martial arts. According to the organization, the need for hormone replacement therapy by athletes diagnosed with hypogonadism in MMA is “extremely rare” and therefore approval would only be made in exceptional cases, where such a need was proven.
“The use of steroids of any type, including testosterone, significantly increases health problems for fighters and their opponents. Using TRT in fights can also create an unfair and contradictory disadvantage to the integrity of the sport. Consequently, the ARP supports the general elimination of hormone replacement therapy in sport”, says an excerpt from the statement released by the ARP.
Also according to “FOX Sports”, ARP’s efforts have a strong ally: UFC president Dana White. For the president, if the athlete needs TRT, it is time to think about ending his career. “If you need TRT, then you are probably too old to fight. You should retire,” said Dana, who commented on the case of Vitor belfort, the organization's main athlete undergoing treatment. “He (Vitor) drives me crazy. We weren't on very good terms a few months ago just because of this TRT thing. I think it's unfair, I said we would test him every day and we did that. He has fulfilled everything and has been within the limits he should be”, he concluded.
The TRT is already the central theme of the announced fight between Vitor belfort e Chris Weidman, for the middleweight title. Even before the duel date was scheduled, which has already been confirmed for the city of Las Vegas (USA), Belfort's request to use hormone replacement treatment has dominated the news surrounding the title fight. The Nevada State Athletic Commission, however, has already declared that the Brazilian should not have the request answered easily, as it imposes severe restrictions on Testosterone Replacement Treatment.
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