Former Olympic gold medalist Kenny Monday spoke recently with ESPN‘s Brett Okamoto about Vitor Belfort, who plans to fight UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman early next year. Monday was Belfort’s coach when the Olympian served as wrestling coach for the Blackzilians.

Fans have noticed a dramatic change in Belfort’s physique since the use of TRT was prohibited in the sport, and the numbers bear that out.

Belfort posted medical documents indicating that his serum testosterone levels had dropped from 1,472 nanograms per deciliter in February to 142 ng/dL. Average levels for a man in his age range are around 600 ng/dL.

However, while Monday acknowledged that Belfort looked the same, he said he was as strong as ever.

“From my point of view, Vitor was and still is the hardest working guy in the gym,” said Monday. “I worked with him after he got off the TRT and his strength level didn’t change. He was very strong. He’s still a strong guy. His physique did change quite a bit, but I think that was water retention. The strength level was the same.”

“I’ve spent a lot of time with him in those (wrestling) positions. I thought then, and I still think now, that he’ll win. I know he’s a better boxer than Weidman. I know that for a fact.”

There is some research showing that a significant part of the strength effects of PEDs can be permanent. However, the reason fighters take PEDs is not to sit around and magically get swole. Fghters take PEDs so they can train more. So while Belfort may indeed be as strong as he ever was, it is likely he cannot train as frequently as he did previously.