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Last night at UFC on FX 8, we saw that an old dog can still learn new tricks. The “TRTnom,” Vitor Belfort, gave us the knockout of the year over Luke Rockhold. That didn’t sit well with Brian Stann, who tweeted that he has seen a noticeable difference in speed and power when training with guys pre and post TRT.

Vitor Belfort is developing new skills at age 36  and that is a testament to the effectiveness of the treatment. Prior to his head-kick knockout of Michael Bisping, Belfort mostly stuck to punching dudes in the face with his incredibly fast hands. Yet in the last two fights, Belfort has discovered new-found proficiency for kicking dudes in the face.

In my mind, it is great to see fighters like Belfort able to extend their careers and give us more amazing, highlight reel knockouts. Why wouldn’t fighters to recover from injury faster and have longer careers? Many people were disappointed with BJ Penn’s career because he had all the skills in the world but didn’t do everything in his power to be a great fighter. Belfort is using everything within legal means to improve himself as a fighter. You can argue that performance enhancing drugs are dangerous for the health of fighters. However, there are 13 million men that also have lowered testosterone levels. They also receive the same injections that Belfort receives. Belfort may have developed lowered testosterone levels by taking illegal PEDs in the past, but he has already served his time for those transgressions. TRT, on the other hand, is legal.

If you want to get mad at someone for the issue of TRT, get mad at lawmakers and athletic commissions who allow the perceived “loophole” to continue to exist. Don’t blame fighters for legally improving their careers.

Like any drug, steroids are dangerous if abused. But under the guidance of medical professionals, performance enhancing drugs can be used relatively safely.  If they were regulated and monitored, PEDs could help fighters recover from injuries faster. Also,  if everyone is taking them, then there isn’t a competitive advantage; everyone would be on an even playing field. As it stands today, a good majority of fighters take PEDs even though they are illegal anyway.  If they were legal it would gives fighters like Belfort the opportunity to knock even more guys out for our viewing pleasure.

Photo Credit – Jason da Silva – USA Today Sports

Vitor Belfort and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza each picked up an additional $50,000 for their efforts Saturday night at UFC on FX 8, pending passing the post-fight drug tests.

Belfort scored the “Knockout of the Night” for his finish of Luke Rockhold in the main event, while Souza earned the “Submission of the Night” after choking Chris Camozzi out cold in the co-main event.

The “Fight of the Night” belonged to Lucas Martins and Jeremy Larsen, who put on a show on the Facebook prelims.

#UFConFX8 Fight of the Night, Martins vs. Larsen; Sub of the Night, Jacare. KO – c’mon now, be reasonable. 50K each.

— UFC (@ufc) May 19, 2013

Vitor Belfort claims Luke Rockhold is afraid, Rockhold says he isn’t. In a few hours, we’ll find out, as the pair throws down in the main event at UFC on FX 8

With only hours to go before they meet at UFC on FX 8 , Luke Rockhold assures the fans he’s not afraid of Vitor Belfort, and he goes on to say he’ll kick is ass.

Maybe Luke Rockhold wasn’t sure how Vitor Belfort prefers to stand during pre-fight staredowns.

Well, earlier this week, the former Strikeforce champion found out first-hand just what Belfort does – literally.

As Belfort locked eyes with Rockhold, he proceeded to put his right fist right in his face. While Rockhold didn’t back down or say anything at the time, he took to Twitter to express how fired up that made him.

“Press conference (Thursday). Can’t stand fist to face (expletive), he will get his, I promise!” Rockhold wrote, who has called out Belfort for his use of TRT.

The two will meet tonight at UFC on FX 8 from Brazil, with “The Phenom” holding the obvious home-Octagon advantage.

UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre isn’t sure when he will face Johny Hendricks, but all signs point to the two squaring off before 2013 ends.

However, St-Pierre’s boxing coach, the world-renowned Freddie Roach, believes the fighter already has the key to defeating Hendricks.

“We got the gameplan pretty much down already,” said Roach on Fight Hub TV. “We’re working on it. He’s always looking for that big shot. He’s a veteran wrestler, of course, a good wrestler, but he doesn’t even like to wrestle. He depends on that big left hand. He doesn’t even want to go to the ground too much. He’s not real difficult to figure out.”

Hendricks was a standout wrestler in college, but St-Pierre has been widely referred to as the best mat fighter in the division. As of lately, “Bigg Rigg” has used his hands to pick his opponents apart – outside of a decision win over Carlos Condit.

Do you agree with Roach’s thoughts, or do you think Hendricks is big enough, and strong enough, to withstand GSP’s relentless approach and take him down?

The UFC returns from a two-week layoff with UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold Saturday night from Brazil.

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Luke Rockhold doesn’t believe fighters should be allowed to use testosterone replacement therapy, even if it’s been prescribed and watched-over by medical personnel.

Rockhold, though, will have to face a fighter on TRT this Saturday when he meets Vitor Belfort at UFC on FX 8.

The former Strikeforce middleweight champion will be making his Octagon debut against Belfort in “The Phenom’s” native country of Brazil.

“I don’t necessarily trust him,” said Rockhold, during an interview with ESPN. “I don’t necessarily trust the system. Do I think he is cheating? Yes, I do. Do I care? Yes and no.”

Rockhold said he believes TRT can “help in some ways, but it can also hurt you. I think it gives you some explosiveness and it can give you strength.”

Belfort was allowed to use TRT prior to defeating Michael Bisping earlier this year. There has been much talk concerning this, as he failed a previous drug test in Nevada for steroids.

In the same interview, Rockhold’s trainer, Javier Mendez of American Kickboxing Academy, admitted that he uses TRT.

I wasn’t going to tell anyone this, but I will tell you. I am on TRT. I think its cheating. It gives you a slight advantage over the people who aren’t on it. The recovery time is much faster, and that means you can get back to training harder and you can train harder.

Does it concern you that someone so close to Rockhold – and the rest of AKA, which includes Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier – uses TRT?

Anderson Silva, who is undefeated in the UFC, says when he fights Brazilians, its just different for him. Obviously, he’ll do it if he needs to, but he certainly doesn’t prefer it. Just ask Thales Leites, Demian Maia, or Vito Belfort.

Anderson Silva expands on his close relationship with both the Nogueira brothers. He partially credits them with his continued MMA success.