UFC 187: Vitor Belfort's testosterone levels revealed, called 'great discovery' by Chris Weidman

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight No. 1 contender, Vitor Belfort, was forced to abandon his testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in early 2014, after the controversial treatment was outlawed by Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).

It was that inability to secure a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) that first sabotaged his 185-pound showdown against Chris Weidman.

Fast forward more than a year later and "The Phenom" still has higher testosterone levels than the "All American," despite being eight years older (38) and suffering from hypogonadism, a condition that prevents the body from producing adequate levels of testosterone.

Combate.com has the report:

On March 16, Belfort was tested and scored 12 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of testosterone in the body, as well as a testosterone-epitestosterone (T/E) 1.7 -- the maximum rate allowed by NAC is 6/1. Weidman was tested on March 30, and was 3.7 ng/mL testosterone and a rate T/E of 0.13. The American went through the same exam again on April 27, and appeared with identical testosterone level, and a rate T/E of 0.092. The Brazilian was examined the following day, and had 5 ng/ml of testosterone and rate T/E 1.5.

Weidman called Belfort's levels -- as well as his fluctuation -- a "great discovery."

"To tell you the truth, who does the exams is the athletic commission," Belfort told the Brazilian news outlet. "Mine worked out, his worked out, and we are here. Nowadays, I'm not worried about it, I'm focused on what I can control."

Both fighters tested negative for performance-enhancing drugs, as well as human growth hormone (HGH) and applicable masking agents ahead of their UFC 187 title fight tomorrow night (Sat., May 23, 2015) in Las Vegas, Nevada (results here).

Cause for alarm ... or much ado about nothing?