With the Nevada State Athletic Commission recently announcing its intentions to eradicate testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), former UFC Light Heavyweight champ Vitor Belfort has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled title match at UFC 173 against Chris Weidman.
Lyoto Machida replaces Vitor Belfort, faces Chris Weidman in new UFC 173 main event
In his place will be fellow Brazilian Lyoto Machida (pictured), who will now be the new UFC Middleweight contender to challenge Weidman for the title in May.
UFC 173 takes May 24th, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
UFC officials announced the change-up on Thursday night’s edition of FOX Sports Live. It was reported that Belfort voluntarily took himself out of the fight in light of the NSAC’s change in viewpoint on TRT use.
“With today’s ruling by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, who’s undefeated since dropping to 185 pounds, will fight champion Chris Weidman in the main event of UFC 173 in May,” UFC President Dana White said. “Machida was dominant in his last two fights, beating Gegard Mousasi and knocking out Mark Munoz.
Machida (21-4), a former UFC light heavyweight champion himself, has gone 2-0 since dropping down to 185-lbs. In his debut in the division last October, he stopped Mark Munoz by strikes, and just earlier this month, he notched a lopsided decision victory Gegard Mousasi in Brazil. He has won four out of his past five fights.
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