Travis Browne rejects TRT despite low testosterone levels because it is for 'mentally weak'

You often hear about the mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters who are on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) (Vitor Belfort and Frank Mir, among others come to immediate mind), but it's those who choose to forgo the controversial treatment that combat sports fans rarely hear about.

But, during a recent interview with The Telegraph, top Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight contender, Travis Browne, revealed that he passed on the treatment, one that he actually feels should be outlawed.

This, after finding out his testosterone levels were low during a routine health check up.

His stance (via Bloody Elbow):

"They should outlaw it [TRT]. But it's not my job to go out there shouting that it should be that way. The way I look at these things is this: Jon Jones has an 84-inch reach. I want an 84-inch reach, let's make it fair. But, we can't do that. We are all physically different. Live with it. I got tested. I did a full blood test to see where my body is, where the deficiencies might be, to see if I might be lacking in anything. They asked if I wanted my testosterone checked, too, so I said, 'Sure, let's see where my T-levels are.' For my age, I am low. I could go and get TRT if I wanted to, but why ? It's going to give me an excuse to lose. I don't need that. It's mentally weak.I don't care. I don't care if I'm lower, here, higher there. I'm going to fight you either way. I'm going to punch you in the face either way."

Despite his low testosterone levels, "Hapa" has done pretty good for himself inside the Octagon, winning three straight bouts since losing to Antonio Silva -- a known TRT abuser user -- in 2012.

It was his first and only mixed martial arts (MMA) loss.

Nevertheless, without the treatment, the Hawaiian has worked his way up the 265-pound food chain as he gets ready to face Fabricio Werdum at UFC on Fox 10 on April 19, 2014, for the right to face division kingpin, Cain Velasquez.

That's refreshing.