TRT fans, Henderson (left) and Sonnen (right) have fights scheduled in Brazil. Photo: MMA Press Production (Disclosure/UFC)
Márcio Tannure, director of the medical committee of the Brazilian MMA Confederation (CABMMA), stated that the ban on testosterone replacement therapy by the Nevada Athletic Commission does not necessarily mean that the practice will also be prohibited in fights in Brazil.
This Thursday (27), the Nevada Commission, one of the most influential in the world, banned with immediate effect the use of TRT in the events it will inspect. This includes UFC 173 in Las Vegas, which will feature a fight between Vitor belfort, one of the supporters of therapy, and Chris Weidman, for the middleweight title of the most important organization in MMA.
Furthermore, the UFC stated that it will recommend that TRT is also banned in other commissions around the world. CABMMA mentions that it mirrors the Nevada Commission to determine its criteria, as mentioned on its own official website: “The modus operandi of the entity follows the same protocols as the Nevada Athletic Commission”, he says.
Even so, Tannure believes that TRT will continue to be allowed in Brazil – at least for now. “We have the Nevada Commission as an inspiration, but the commissions are not connected. A decision made there does not mean that we will agree here, or the opposite, but it starts a debate on the subject”, said the doctor, in an interview with the North American website “MMA Fighting”. “We have been discussing this issue for a long time here in Brazil. It's a controversial subject, but it's in the rules. We can change our approach or not. We haven’t made a decision on that yet.”
Two of TRT's best-known fans are scheduled to perform at Brazilian events. Dan Henderson will face Mauritius Shogun on March 23, in Natal, and Chael Sonnen will measure forces with Wanderlei Silva on May 31st, at a location to be defined. “Chael Sonnen has not requested [authorization to use TRT] yet. Dan Henderson He already asked, but I don't know if he will receive it. I believe he will receive authorization for this fight. I don't think we will change [the approach to TRT] before that date. It may change in the future, but we need to debate the issue”, explained Tannure.
Comments