MMA Junkie reports that the California State Athletic Commission has followed the Nevada State Athletic Commission in restricting the use of testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT). At this time, it has instituted a complete ban on TRT.
Andy Foster, the California State Athletic Commission Executive Officer issued the following statement on California’s banning TRT.
The California State Athletic Commission fully supports the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s decision to eliminate Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) for Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) in boxing and mixed martial arts. California is a strong supporter of anti-doping efforts. As part of California’s anti-doping efforts, the Commission recently began the rulemaking process to require meeting World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards as the only way to obtain a TUE for TRT. This standard is so high that it is an effective ban except under the most extreme circumstances. Until the rulemaking process is complete and the regulations are fully adopted, the Commission has a total ban on TRT. California remains committed to protecting the health and safety of athletes and having strict anti-doping standards is one of the ways this is accomplished.
Payout Perspective:
The move by California to negate therapeutic-use exemptions (TUE) for TRT is a sign that the dominos may seemingly fall when it comes to the use of TRT. While TUEs for TRTs may still be obtained, the standards for receiving the exemption are so that most athletes currently using TRT would not meet WADA standards. Certainly, the ESPN “Outside the Lines” story on TRT helped sway public opinion of the use in MMA. We will see how many other commissions follow suit.
I still think the New Jersey commission has the right stance on this whole TRT issue. They have very strict guidelines when it comes to issuing exemptions, maybe not as strict as WADA but definitely not as loose as Nevada was with their exemptions. I find this whole ” WE GONNA BAN IT ALL CAUSE IZ BAD” almost into Dana White stupidity levels.
This TRT issue got out of hand simply because of how easy it became to get an exemption, all you had to do was go to a quack and say you are tired and feeling a little down lately. You had commissions and even the UFC issuing them on their self-regulated events based on nothing more than a Doctor’s note. It was heavily abused to the point that it became a joke and just a way to legally cheat. Now if there is ever a legitimate case for them well, tough luck.
Awesome, get that garbage out of the sport. Sick of Dana trotting out the same old guys every year anyway.
This smells like the Culinary Union…
Smart move.
What will the UFC do to pay off their $600 million debt soon?