[Cat--Smasher]

USA TODAY: White, Henderson, Belfort and the many views on TRT | News

"I continue to make sure I stay within the normal range," said Henderson, an Olympic wrestler and former MMA champion who received a therapeutic-use exemption from the Nevada State Athletic Commission in 2007 that allows him to use synthetic testosterone. "I would really love for the UFC and all of MMA to implement random drug testing for all athletes. I think that would cut down on people who get on this and they know they're not going to be tested for a while, so they might be abusing it."

According to UFC President Dana White, that additional testing is on its way, at least for known TRT users. In an abrupt about-face on the treatment he once lauded as fair and legal, White told reporters in London this past weekend that "a couple of situations" recently have changed his mind.

"I don't like it, and I'm going to fight it," White said. "And if you are using TRT in the UFC, we're going to start testing the s--- out of you through your entire camp."

That's fine with Henderson (29-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC), who faces Lyoto Machida (18-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) in the co-main event of Saturday's UFC 157 event (pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET). He's done his own testing for years just to ensure he stays within the range prescribed by his doctor, he said, but it's still hard not to wonder if allowing a professional fighter to inject synthetic testosterone – even if it is kept within a certain range – is such a great idea.

"Of course it's going to help him out," said Machida, 34, who hopes to earn a title shot with a win over Henderson on Saturday. "He's over 40. He's going to benefit from it. He wouldn't do it if he didn't benefit from it."

But how much of a benefit is too much? And who should be allowed to receive it? And what happens if they receive more than they ought to? These are questions that both the sport and the UFC are still struggling with, but at least the powers that be finally seem to be in pursuit of the right answers.

It's a conversation Henderson welcomes, he said. Those who would rather avoid it may soon have no choice.