Next Big Thing
02-27-2014, 05:06 PM
LAS VEGAS -- In a monumental move, the Nevada State Athletic Commission banned testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) from combat sports on Thursday.
The ruling, which passed by a unanimous vote, eliminates future applications for a therapeutic use exemption for TRT. It also denies the use of TRT to any fighter who had previously received permission for its use from the state.
“
I would encourage the ABC to look at this issue for all commissions in all states across the country. I think it's important that there be a standard and I think [the NSAC] is not afraid to set that standard.
” -- NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar
NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar noted the historic nature of the ruling and stated his hope that the Association of Boxing Commissions would take up the cause.
"I would encourage the ABC to look at this issue for all commissions in all states across the country," Aguilar said. "I think it's important that there be a standard and I think [the NSAC] is not afraid to set that standard."
The UFC, which self-regulates itself in the absence of an athletic commission in events held overseas, will apparently follow the NSAC's lead in banning TRT.
"We follow Nevada," UFC president Dana White told ESPN.com via text. "It's a great day for the sport. I applaud the NSAC. TRT needed to go away."
At least 15 mixed martial artists have received exemptions for testosterone use since 2007, including six in Nevada. That number represents a high percentage of need compared to the general population and especially other professional sports.
"We believe our athletes should compete based on their natural abilities and on an even playing field," White continued in a statement. "We also intend to honor this ruling in international markets."
Dr. Timothy Trainor, medical consultant to the NSAC, led the meeting on Thursday. He acknowledged the commission's decision to ban TRT could prevent an athlete with a legitimate medical need of testosterone from competing, but argued that rare case shouldn't outweigh the potential of other athletes abusing the treatment.
"If we assume it's someone who truly has that diagnosis, that would be just like someone with diabetes," Trainor said. "They didn't cause it themselves. That would be, in my mind, the athlete that would be penalized.
"Being granted a license to compete in combat sports, [however] is not a God-given right to anyone."
The decision comes two months before UFC middleweight Vitor Belfort is scheduled to face Chris Weidman for the title at UFC 173 on May 24 in Las Vegas. Belfort, 36, was approved to use TRT in his last three fights, all of which took place in Brazil.
He was expected to file an application to the NSAC for a therapeutic use exemption.
http://espn.go.com/mma/story/_/id/10528126/nsac-bans-testosterone-replacement-therapy-combat-sports
Great move. It was getting ridiculous that guys in their early 30s like Nate Marquardt, Ben Rothwell and Antonio Silva were popping up with TRT exemptions. Will be very interesting to see what effect this has down the line on the careers of certain fighters.
The ruling, which passed by a unanimous vote, eliminates future applications for a therapeutic use exemption for TRT. It also denies the use of TRT to any fighter who had previously received permission for its use from the state.
“
I would encourage the ABC to look at this issue for all commissions in all states across the country. I think it's important that there be a standard and I think [the NSAC] is not afraid to set that standard.
” -- NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar
NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar noted the historic nature of the ruling and stated his hope that the Association of Boxing Commissions would take up the cause.
"I would encourage the ABC to look at this issue for all commissions in all states across the country," Aguilar said. "I think it's important that there be a standard and I think [the NSAC] is not afraid to set that standard."
The UFC, which self-regulates itself in the absence of an athletic commission in events held overseas, will apparently follow the NSAC's lead in banning TRT.
"We follow Nevada," UFC president Dana White told ESPN.com via text. "It's a great day for the sport. I applaud the NSAC. TRT needed to go away."
At least 15 mixed martial artists have received exemptions for testosterone use since 2007, including six in Nevada. That number represents a high percentage of need compared to the general population and especially other professional sports.
"We believe our athletes should compete based on their natural abilities and on an even playing field," White continued in a statement. "We also intend to honor this ruling in international markets."
Dr. Timothy Trainor, medical consultant to the NSAC, led the meeting on Thursday. He acknowledged the commission's decision to ban TRT could prevent an athlete with a legitimate medical need of testosterone from competing, but argued that rare case shouldn't outweigh the potential of other athletes abusing the treatment.
"If we assume it's someone who truly has that diagnosis, that would be just like someone with diabetes," Trainor said. "They didn't cause it themselves. That would be, in my mind, the athlete that would be penalized.
"Being granted a license to compete in combat sports, [however] is not a God-given right to anyone."
The decision comes two months before UFC middleweight Vitor Belfort is scheduled to face Chris Weidman for the title at UFC 173 on May 24 in Las Vegas. Belfort, 36, was approved to use TRT in his last three fights, all of which took place in Brazil.
He was expected to file an application to the NSAC for a therapeutic use exemption.
http://espn.go.com/mma/story/_/id/10528126/nsac-bans-testosterone-replacement-therapy-combat-sports
Great move. It was getting ridiculous that guys in their early 30s like Nate Marquardt, Ben Rothwell and Antonio Silva were popping up with TRT exemptions. Will be very interesting to see what effect this has down the line on the careers of certain fighters.