A ruling by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to ban the use of TRT for therapeutic reasons has been quickly followed by the UFC.
The use of Testosterone Replacment Therapy (TRT) in all forms of MMA, and especially the UFC, has long been a contentious one. Head honcho Dana White often spoke of his dislike for TRT while it was legal and Jon Jones complained about fighters using it.
Some of the biggest names in the sport, including Chael Sonnen, Frank Mir, Forrest Griffin and Vitor Belfort have been granted therapeutic usage of TRT by Nevada in the past but that practice will now have to end.
Last night the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) banned the use of TRT and the UFC quickly followed suit, effectively banning it from all UFC controlled events outside the US and in Nevada. It is expected other states in the US will also ban TRT exemptions for fighters.
The impact of the move has already been felt. Belfort, one of the best known users of TRT, has pulled out of his fight with Chris Weidman at UFC 173 on May 24.
“The NSAC recently altered its policy and no longer will permit testosterone use exemptions,” Belfort said in a statement. “As other jurisdictions may follow suit, I am going to drop my TRT program and compete in MMA without it.
“Given the time constraints involved between now and my proposed next bout in May, I have determined not to apply for a license to fight in Nevada at this time.”
The UFC also released a statement.
“The Ultimate Fighting Championship fully supports the decision made today by the Nevada State Athletic Commission regarding the immediate termination of therapeutic use exemptions (TUE) for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT),” White said: “We believe our athletes should compete based on their natural abilities and on an even playing field. We also intend to honor this ruling in international markets where, due to a lack of governing bodies, the UFC oversees regulatory efforts for our live events. We encourage all athletic commissions to adopt this ruling.”
TRT hasn’t gone away fully yet. Dan Henderson will fight on the UFC Fight Night card in Natal, Brazil on March 23 while taking TRT as the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission is expected to approve the usage for him and another UFC bout in Brazil in May could also allow its usage.
Most fighters have spoken of their support for the ban on Twitter, as has White, so we will watch with interest to see if anyone else chimes in with their two cents.
