[h=1]Vitor Belfort out of UFC 173 title fight, Chris Weidman now meets Lyoto Machida[/h] By Matt Erickson February 28, 2014 1:35 am SHARE TWEET EMAIL On the same day the Nevada State Athletic Commission announced a major change in its policy on testosterone-replacement therapy, there has been a major change at the top of the next major card the state will host. Vitor Belfort (24-10 MMA, 13-6 UFC) is out of his middleweight title shot against champion Chris Weidman (11-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) at UFC 173 in May, and in his place will step fellow Brazilian and former champion Lyoto Machida (21-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC). “FOX Sports Live” broke the news late Thursday that Belfort voluntarily took himself out of the fight in the wake of the NSAC’s change in stance on TRT use. “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 in a statement. “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.” UFC 173 takes place May 24 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card will air on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass. Belfort earned his shot at Weidman on the strength of three straight “Knockout of the Night” bonus wins, all stemming from head kicks. In January 2013, he stopped Michael Bisping. This past May, he dropped Luke Rockhold in the first round. And in November, he shut down Dan Henderson just 67 seconds into the first. All three of those fights came in Brazil, which led to speculation that the UFC was ensuring Belfort could fight because of his status as arguably the promotion’s most criticized user of testosterone-replacement therapy. But by booking him to fight Weidman in Las Vegas, that speculation would have been laid to rest. First, Belfort would have had to apply for a license to fight in Nevada – where he hasn’t fought in more than three years, and not since his sanctioned use of TRT began. In 2006, Belfort failed a drug test in Nevada for elevated testosterone, which was thought to have made his application for a TUE for TRT for this May’s fight with Weidman a contentious issue. But on Thursday, it became moot when the NSAC decided to fully ban TRT use from here on out. The NSAC had granted TUEs to several fighters before this – but none of them had failed drug tests for elevated testosterone in the past. Machida, a former light heavyweight champ, now gets a title shot in what will be just his third fight at 185 pounds. In his debut in the division this past October, he knocked out Mark Munoz. And earlier this month, he took a decision from Gegard Mousasi in Brazil, giving him four wins in his past five fights. “I’m really excited for this opportunity to fight UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman,” Machida said in a statement. “I’m going to train hard and be well prepared for this fight.” Weidman has been highly critical of Belfort and his TRT use, but now that won’t matter. The unbeaten New Yorker this past July knocked out longtime middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva to win the title. Then in December, he defended it when Silva broke his leg when Weidman checked a kick – one of the most gruesome injuries in MMA history. “Machida is a dangerous fighter and he knows what it takes to become champion,” Weidman said in a statement. “He’s been on my radar since he dropped to 185, so I’m looking forward to defending my title against him in May.”
Chael vs Wandy perhaps? They've already got a season of TUF in the can, but Chael won't be able to spike his T levels.
I'll pick Weidman, but I like Machida's chances better than BeforTRT's. Glad he is getting the fight.
Machida will win either by knockout or by a boring decision. He has the perfect style to beat Weidman. Weidman hasn't fought anyone with this level of striking and takedown defense. I'm just hoping Machida is more aggressive this fight and does more striking than running.
Machida is a betting underdog which means the bookies are giving out early Christmas gifts. That said, that line is going to move massively so if you are going to bet do so now. The odds are comical.
Yep. I bet McMann for the same reason. Honestly, Machida should an almost even money fight with Weidman. I don't think he'll win, but Machida will keep it close and could steal a decision. Weidman is subtly great at closing distance with his strikes so it will be interesting to see if can close the space and tag Lyoto.
Machida has beaten bigger and stronger guys than Weidman. Rashad as light heavyweight champ looked as good or better than Weidman does today, and Machida knocked him out. Weidman might be something special, a guy who could reign as champion for years like Anderson Silva. I'm not convinced yet. I think he's one of the best middleweights today, but he won't get past Machida.
machida is not beating weidman. he's older and is more vulnerable than ever. at his best, he was overrated. i would be surprised if he lasted more than 3 rounds.
He looked great against the first 16 guys he fought, including the bullshit draw with Tito. Weidman hasn't had that many fights yet. Weidman had the perfect style to beat an aging Anderson Silva, but I don't think he would have lasted a round with Anderson in his prime.
he looked like shit against Bisping and arguably lost that fight. I would put Weidman's first 11 guys against Rashad's first 11 guys any day of the weak. And the Anderson that lost to Weidman would kill Evans.
Again , Weidman is long with his shots and closes distance quickly. I think most people will be shocked at how easily Weidman tags the usually elusive Machuda.
i think most people are just bitter that weidman twice EASILY beat anderson silva. it's almost as if they want him to lose vs. machida or belfort.
