Vitor Belfort weighs in during the UFC on FX official weigh-in event on January 18, 2013 at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Following the Nevada State Athletic Commision decision to ban any use of testosterone by athletes, including TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy), Vitor Belfort decided to withdraw from his title fight against UFC middleweight champion, Chris Weidman.
The Brazilian fighter released the following statement late this Thursday: “The Nevada State Athletic Commission recently altered its policy and no longer will permit testosterone use exemptions, and will not permit a TRT program. 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.”
In his place, the UFC called upon fellow countryman Lyoto Machida to fight for the belt.
UFC 173 takes place next May 24 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, in Las Vegas.
