Testosterone Replacement Therapy banned in combat sports by Nevada State Athletic Commission

TRT exemptions will no longer be given by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, including for users who have already received them in the past.

One of the most controversial subjects in combat sports over the past few years has been the rise in athletes who have utilized Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). Many fighters have been able to get exemptions to use TRT in competition to address a diagnosis of low testosterone.

One of the main issues with TRT has been that there are many ways to "cheat" the tests for "low T" and get on the therapy, which can amount to what many consider legalized steroid use.

Today, the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted unanimously to ban TRT entirely in boxing and mixed martial arts, no longer giving exemptions for fighters.

One of the more interesting notes is how sweeping this truly is:


The decision comes in the wake of a fairly scathing ESPN "Outside the Lines" piece which covered just how high TRT exemptions are in the MMA world.

The most obvious and immediate bout that will be impacted by this turn of events is the bout between Vitor Belfort and Chris Weidman for the UFC middleweight title. Belfort has seen a career rebirth since going on TRT and has been the posterboy for the anti-TRT movement as prior steroid abuse can be a cause of low testosterone. Belfort failed a Nevada drug test for steroid abuse several years ago, leading to some A + B = C thinking from many.

I'm so glad this got passed! I'm hoping the rest of the country follows what Vegas did.

Totally agree Timmy.

Love it.Time for the Trt monkeys to retire or fight each other in brazil. No point in any clean fighters taking on one of these cheats

bronzehole wrote:

Love it.Time for the Trt monkeys to retire or fight each other in brazil. No point in any clean fighters taking on one of these cheats

Brazil is accepting this same ruling and not allowing TRT either.

OU wrote:

bronzehole wrote:

Love it.Time for the Trt monkeys to retire or fight each other in brazil. No point in any clean fighters taking on one of these cheats

Brazil is accepting this same ruling and not allowing TRT either.

good, they can fight in Canada then

bronzehole wrote:

OU wrote:

bronzehole wrote:

Love it.Time for the Trt monkeys to retire or fight each other in brazil. No point in any clean fighters taking on one of these cheats

Brazil is accepting this same ruling and not allowing TRT either.

good, they can fight in Canada then

Eh, maybe Texas or Japan. I'm not sure if they do TRT in Canada or not eh.

I think most places will follow in Vegas's footsteps.

Not Japan. (wags finger)

Eventually

This was a lazy move by the AC and the domino's they pushed over, granted they don't have funding to properly and adequately address this issue. But to throw up their hands and say TRT is a black and white issue with an absolute remedy such as this is disappointing.