Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort will meet again seven years after their first fight at UFC Fight Night 32, and both fighters could possibly use TRT in Brazil.
Henderson, who turns 43 years old on Saturday, will be able to apply for exemptions for the use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to fight on Nov. 9 in Brazil. "Hendo" has been using the therapy since 2007, but didn’t request the treatment for his last fight in the UFC against Rashad Evans, when he felt the commission would allow him to use it.
Dr. Marcio Tannure, medical director of the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA), told MMAFighting.com that Henderson needs to send him the exams to prove his medical conditions (hypogonadism) to apply for a TRT use, and they will analyze the request.
Sources close to Henderson told MMAFighting.com the former Pride champion will apply for a TUE, and confirmed Belfort will move up to 205 pounds to fight Henderson in Brazil. Tannure confirmed Belfort will continue his use of testosterone replacement therapy for his next fight.
"I wasn’t officially informed about this fight, but if (Henderson) wants to use the TRT exemption in Brazil he will need to send us all the exams so we can analyze it," Dr. Tannure said. "I know he has the authorization to use that in the US, but this is a different commission, so we need to see all the exams."
Henderson, who defeated Belfort at Pride 32 in Las Vegas on Oct. 21, 2006, and "The Phenom" will be tested once a month to guarantee their testosterone levels are in normal ranges.
"With Vitor, we did blood tests every month to guarantee his levels are ok, and then we tested him before and after the fights (with Michael Bisping and Luke Rockhold)," Dr. Tannure said. "(Henderson) will be tested at least three times before the fight, then we will test him again after the fight."