By Michael Owens
Finally, after TRT issues kept him out of a title shot earlier this year, today’s hearing at the Nevada Athletic Commission granted him a licence to fight. It’s not quite as simple as that though. Vitor has been a naughty boy and he must follow the following conditions.
1. His first fight must come in Las Vegas
2. That bout must occur no earlier than December
3. He must pay for enhanced random testing proposed by the commission.
For what it’s worth, ‘The Phenom’ seems pretty committed to cleaning up his act and doing things right. Sherdog reported the former UFC light heavyweight champ was in tears when he delivered he opening statement. He even managed to avoid the usual ‘young dinosaur’ style grade-A Belfort nonsense.
“The UFC is my authority; you guys are my authority,” he said. “I made a commitment, and I want to fight in Vegas. I want that fight to be here. I want to show the capabilities of me as an athlete. I respect this sport and the rules behind this sport. Whatever you ask will be done.”
The Nevada brass are not kidding around this time either. Commissioner Anthony Marnell promised Belfort will be tested until the day he retires. That’s pretty much confirmation of Dana White’s prediction that Belfort would be ‘Olympic-tested like crazy’.
With all that out of the way, it leaves us with one off the most potentially explosive match ups in the sport right now. If non-TRT Vitor can keep his level of performance up to the standards he showed through his 2013 KO streak Chris Weidman will be in for one hell of a test.
Furthermore, A non-New-Year December date was discussed for a possible Gina /Carano vs. Ronda Rousey fight. Can anyone say blockbuster?
