Belfort is expected to fight for the middleweight belt in February. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
In July, when won a provisional license from the Nevada Athletic Commission to face Chris Weidman for the UFC middleweight belt, Vitor belfort he also received the condition to undergo surprise anti-doping tests at any time the entity deemed necessary. However, three months after the decision, the commission's executive director, Bob Bennett, revealed that no examination has been carried out to date.
As he told the North American website “MMA Fighting”, Bennett explained that all the bureaucracy surrounding the case is on standby, as there is a possibility that the fight between Belfort and Weidman will be transferred to the state of California, where there is another regulatory entity. Therefore, if the fight actually changes location, the surprise exams will be the responsibility of the California Athletic Commission.
Three months ago, as soon as the decision on Belfort's case was made, the fight was immediately made official for December 6, in Las Vegas, in the main attraction of UFC 181. Even though the fight was postponed in September due to injury of Weidman, the Commission had not yet requested any examination of the Brazilian.
The company that manages Belfort's career, OTB Fight, ensured that the Brazilian provided all his personal data so that he could be easily located, in addition to informing him about all the trips he would take.
The executive director of the California commission, Andy Foster, commented to “MMA Fighting” that, if the fight is in fact under the supervision of his entity, the plan consists of testing Belfort three to five times at random, including an exam on the night of the event. Furthermore, the costs of all exams would be the responsibility of the Brazilian.
Weidman is surprised: 'I thought he had been tested countless times'
C. Weidman (photo) questioned the news. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
The UFC middleweight champion, Chris Weidman, was shocked by the news that Belfort had not once submitted to an anti-doping test since receiving the provisional license to fight for the belt.
The North American, who also has not participated in any examination since then, thought that the Brazilian was already providing his samples to the Nevada Commission. "Wow! I thought he had been tested countless times. Has he not been tested once since the fight was announced three months ago!?” asked the champion on his account on Twitter.
If the fight is actually moved to California, Weidman would also be randomly tested leading up to the fight. However, because he has never been caught in an anti-doping test to date, the champion would probably undergo fewer tests than Belfort. However, Weidman made himself available to the entity to provide his samples as soon as necessary.
The fight between Chris Weidman e Vitor belfort There is no official date yet from the UFC. However, the organization's president, Dana White, stated that the fight will “most likely” take place in February.
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