Vitor Belfort's lawyer says random NSAC test results 'not relevant'
The results of a random drug test revealed in the wake of Vitor Belfort‘s removal from UFC 173 remain a secret.
Belfort’s lawyer, Neal Tabachnick, responded to an email request from MMAjunkie by writing, “The test is not relevant as Vitor is not applying for a license to fight in Nevada at this time.â€
Tabachnick explained Belfort’s removal by reiterating an earlier statement from the ex-champ, whose plan to apply for a therapeutic-use exemption for testosterone-replacement therapy was sacked when the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Thursday voted unanimously to end the process.
The lawyer, who previously fought in court on behalf of current Bellator MMA lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez in a dispute with the Viacom-owned promotion, wrote that UFC parent Zuffa “felt that with this change at the commission, there is no time for Vitor to drop his TRT program, secure a license for a May 2014 bout and leave Zuffa with time to properly promote the bout.â€
A follow-up request to explain a disparity between Belfort’s statement and an earlier one in which the fighter said he was removing himself from the event was not returned. In the second statement, Belfort said he will fight the winner of UFC 173′s new headliner between champ Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida.
According to the NSAC, Belfort submitted to a random test by the NSAC on Feb. 7, which chairman Francisco Aguilar said was ordered because “the commission was being prudent in its efforts to provide fans a safe and healthy fight.â€
The results of the test, however, are obscured by a legal loophole. Because Belfort never submitted his licensing paperwork for the May 24 pay-per-view event, the commission doesn’t have the legal authority to release them, Aguilar said. As part of their license applications, fighters sign a waiver that allows the results of drug tests to be made public.
So currently, the commission, UFC and Belfort are aware of the results, but it looks unlikely they will be released. A UFC official initially informed MMAjunkie that they would today be made public, but in a follow up, the promotion declined comment on the matter. A check of the Association of Boxing Commissions’ database on medical and administrative actions also revealed no recent updates on Belfort, according to a source familiar with the database. That source asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak on the matter.
Aguilar said he is considering a change to Nevada’s rules to require fighters who undergo random tests to sign a release.
“I think we’re going to have to get that done, and of course, the fighter will always have the opportunity to say no,†he said. “They can do that, and I can’t fight them on that.â€
Aguilar added that the refusal of a random test would be considered when a fighter applies for a license.
Prior to the NSAC’s ban, Aguilar expressed concerns about Belfort’s status as a TRT user, saying it could be an issue but deferring any regulatory decisions to the commission. Belfort was flagged for a steroid following a 2006 fight in Las Vegas. In an appeal, he denied using steroids and said the positive test could have been caused by an over-the-counter supplement or from testosterone injections administered by his then-doctor following knee surgery.
Repeated requests to reach Belfort and his wife and manager, Joana Belfort, were unsuccessful.
