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Morning Report: Lorenzo Fertitta confirms UFC's plans for Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort in Las Vegas | MMA and UFC News
According to a report from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, UFC CEO and owner Lorenzo Fertitta has confirmed plans to next pit middleweight champion Chris Weidman against Vitor Belfort in Las Vegas, Nevada in May or July 2014, depending on Weidman’s health.
Weidman, of course, most recently defended his title to former champion Anderson Silva Dec. 28 at UFC 168, scoring a technical knockout just 1:16 into the second round, seemingly uninjured. However, Weidman hinted post-fight that he struggled with a possible meniscus tear throughout training camp, possibly requiring surgery. He also mentioned the probable need for a scope to clear out floating bodies of cartilage in the same knee.
We learned earlier this week that the UFC was interested in hosting the bout in Las Vegas when the promotion reportedly informally let the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) know. A bit of finesse in what could be a tricky situation should the NSAC hold to their policy of not allowing a therapeutic-use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) if that individual’s needs derive from past non-sanctioned use. Belfort, who has competed with a TUE since 2011, tested positive for 4-hydroxytestosterone, an illegal substance, following his 2006 bout with Dan Henderson at PRIDE 32 held in Nevada. Although he claimed he would halt TRT for a title shot, Belfort indicated he’d be disenfranchised without the exemption. “I’ve already said that, if they agree with it, I would (stop doing TRT),” said Belfort in October. “No problem at all. If they want me to get there in a disadvantage, that’s ok.”
According to a report from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, UFC CEO and owner Lorenzo Fertitta has confirmed plans to next pit middleweight champion Chris Weidman against Vitor Belfort in Las Vegas, Nevada in May or July 2014, depending on Weidman’s health.
Weidman, of course, most recently defended his title to former champion Anderson Silva Dec. 28 at UFC 168, scoring a technical knockout just 1:16 into the second round, seemingly uninjured. However, Weidman hinted post-fight that he struggled with a possible meniscus tear throughout training camp, possibly requiring surgery. He also mentioned the probable need for a scope to clear out floating bodies of cartilage in the same knee.
We learned earlier this week that the UFC was interested in hosting the bout in Las Vegas when the promotion reportedly informally let the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) know. A bit of finesse in what could be a tricky situation should the NSAC hold to their policy of not allowing a therapeutic-use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) if that individual’s needs derive from past non-sanctioned use. Belfort, who has competed with a TUE since 2011, tested positive for 4-hydroxytestosterone, an illegal substance, following his 2006 bout with Dan Henderson at PRIDE 32 held in Nevada. Although he claimed he would halt TRT for a title shot, Belfort indicated he’d be disenfranchised without the exemption. “I’ve already said that, if they agree with it, I would (stop doing TRT),” said Belfort in October. “No problem at all. If they want me to get there in a disadvantage, that’s ok.”