That kind of hot streak will make the UFC take notice and the No. 2 ranked Belfort was rewarded with a title shot for his effort, to be fought against champion Chris Weidman at UFC 173 in Las Vegas on May 24.
On Thursday, however, the UFC announced that Belfort had been removed from the middleweight title bout in favor of third-ranked 185-pounder Lyoto Machida.
The surprising decision came as the result of a landmark ruling handed down Thursday from the Nevada State Athletic Commission that bans outright the use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Belfort had applied and been granted an exception to use TRT in training for his last three fights, which, while legal, was the subject of much scrutiny.
The Brazilian fighter had previously tested positive for steroids following a 2006 fight against Dan Henderson with the PRIDE Fighting Championships and his use of TRT provoked speculation he was still using steroids and taking the TRT to replenish the low testosterone caused by the anabolic cycles. For his part, Belfort vehemently denies any current steroid use and says that he would be at an athletic disadvantage without TRT.
On Thursday it seemed that, with the NSAC’s ruling, Belfort did not have time to alter his training to adjust before the fight. The UFC released a statement concerning the decision in which the 36-year old fighter was quoted to that effect.
“The Nevada State Athletic Commission recently altered its policy and no longer will permit testosterone use exemptions, and will not permit a TRT program,” Belfort said. “As other jurisdictions may follow suit, I am going to drop my TRT program and compete in MMA without it.
“Given the time constraints involved between now and my proposed next bout in May, I have determined not to apply for a license to fight in Nevada at this time.”
However, on Friday Belfort did a 180, denying that he had withdrawn from the fight and claiming it was the UFC’s decision to change the card.
“I never gave up fighting at UFC 173 and never said that,” said Belfort, via his Twitter account. “Therefore, any information published in any medium of communication announcing this is not true.
“The UFC decided to put another opponent in my place because I do not have the required time to adapt myself to the new rules of the NSAC. According to the UFC, (I) will face the winner of Weidman vs. Lyoto within the new regulations of all athletic commissions.”
The UFC has not responded to Belfort’s statement as of this writing, so it is not clear if Belfort will automatically get the next championship fight as he indicated. What is clear is that Machida, the former light-heavyweight UFC belt-holder, represents a very serious threat to Weidman’s fledgling title reign.
“Machida is a dangerous fighter and he knows what it takes to become champion,” Weidman said. “He’s been on my radar since he drop to 185 pounds so I’m looking forward to defending my title against him at UFC 173 in May.”
Machida will get a chance to become a multiple-class champion just three fights into his middleweight career. The 35-year old Brazilian has won both of his fights at the 185-pound level, including a unanimous decision over No. 12 Gegard Mousasi in his most recent bout.
“I’m really excited for this opportunity to fight UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman,” Machida said, in a prepared statement. “I’m going to train hard and be well prepared for this fight.”
Regardless of the outcome of Weidman and Machida’s fight, it’s clear that the progressive ruling from the NSAC (never expected to see those words used in a sentence together) has the potential to cause widespread changes in the UFC. It’s already created a ripple effect that’s altered the nature of the middleweight title chase.
Dylan Sinn is a freelance contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSinn or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
