D. Henderson is in the main fight of UFC Natal. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
The Nevada Athletic Commission's decision to prohibit exemptions from Testosterone Replacement Treatment (TRT), promptly followed by the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission, continues to generate controversy in the sport. A supporter of hormone replacement treatment, the veteran Dan Henderson, currently the oldest athlete on the Ultimate squad, also took a stance on the issue. In an interview with the North American channel “FOX Sports”, Hendo stated that the ban does not reach the heart of the issue and said that he considers the intensification of more efficient drug tests as a measure.
“I'm sure there are a lot of guys who need (the TRT) and a lot of guys who don't (…). The biggest problem is that this doesn't solve all problems, it just takes them away. It doesn't really address the real issue of tackling the problem of performance-enhancing drugs. I think if they really wanted to give a clear message, they should have done more drug testing and implemented the testing without warning. Showing up at guys’ houses at weird hours and collecting their blood or their pee in a cup,” said the 43-year-old American.
Still on the subject of TRT, Henderson was not as pessimistic as his friend Chael Sonnen, who spoke with concern about the damage that the absence of hormone replacement would bring to his life, but said that he will rethink his career right after the duel against Mauritius Shogun – scheduled for UFC Fight Night 39, in Natal (RN), next Sunday (23). “I'm doing well in dealing with this fight and I'll worry about the changes later. I don't need to make any decisions now. I'll do some research and see what's out there. I'm pretty sure my levels were low before I started (with TRT) years ago. It's just unfortunate that a doctor's prescription for something that would make me healthier can't be used in this situation. Like I said, the biggest problem is that they need to improve drug testing,” he concluded.
This Sunday (23), Dan Henderson returns to the octagon in the main fight of UFC Fight Night 39, an event taking place in the capital of Natal. The opponent in the duel will be an old acquaintance of Henderson: Mauritius Shogun. Hendo and Shogun had the fight of the year in 2011, in the veteran's UFC debut. On that occasion, after five rounds of a real battle, the North American was declared the winner by unanimous decision of the judges. This, in fact, was Henderson's last victory, who since then has suffered three consecutive defeats – something unprecedented in his career.
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