In Belfort’s case, his muscle mass and power seemed to decline, and his later fights showed different results than his "TRT era" matches. Many fans noticed that some fighters, including Belfort, did not look as strong or perform as well after the ban. Once the TRT ban was in place, fighters who had used TRT faced tough adjustments. This ban was a turning point, signaling that TRT was no longer acceptable in MMA, even with medical approval. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the largest MMA promotion, decided to adopt the NSAC’s stance and banned TRT for all of its fighters. Other fighters using TRT also came under scrutiny, but Belfort’s visible transformation and success kept him in the spotlight. Fighters like Michael Bisping and others openly criticized TRT use, saying it wasn’t fair to fighters who did not use such treatments. However, some MMA fighters began using TRT to gain an edge in competition, leading to heated debates and major rule changes in the sport. For fighters like Vitor Belfort, who openly used TRT, the controversy highlighted these health and safety risks, ultimately leading to bans and stricter regulation in MMA. In addition, TRT blurred the lines between legitimate medical treatment and performance enhancement. Many sports organizations, such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), had already placed restrictions on TRT, requiring strict criteria for TUEs. Some fighters experienced a noticeable drop in performance, while others adjusted through different training methods. In addition, Olympic wrestling and other international combat sports organizations have also noted the UFC’s policy changes. The UFC’s stance on TRT and its eventual ban had a ripple effect in combat sports. This led to extensive media coverage and increased scrutiny, which eventually resulted in TRT being banned across the UFC and most athletic commissions that regulate MMA. Wrestlers use strength, stamina, and physical endurance to perform in the ring, but the outcome of matches is predetermined, which changes how some organizations view TRT. Others feel that any kind of hormone therapy in sports will always have risks and ethical challenges that outweigh the benefits. Belfort’s legacy as a fighter who achieved great success with and without TRT offers insights into the broader issues of hormone therapy in sports. For a time, athletic commissions and MMA organizations allowed TRT for fighters who showed a medical need. The hormone can also lead to blood clots, which is dangerous for athletes involved in contact sports like MMA. If athletes feel that TRT gives an advantage, it may push more fighters to seek TRT prescriptions just to keep up, creating a race where more people use hormone therapy. However, critics argue that TRT gives these athletes an unfair advantage over fighters who compete without hormone therapy. As fighters age, their testosterone levels often decrease, leading to less power and endurance. In boxing, testosterone levels play a significant role in a fighter’s strength, aggression, and stamina. For several years, MMA was one of the few sports where athletes could use TRT with a medical exemption.
