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[Cat--Smasher]

NSAC to review TRT exemption policy next week

The Nevada State Athletic Commission is to review its policy on 'therapeutic use exemptions' - issued for otherwise prohibited medical procedures as testosterone replacement therapy - on Tuesday next week.

According to NSAC executive Keith Kizer the review is purely procedural and may result in changes being made, or none at all. But its timing is significant, as TRT has loomed large in the MMA news pages of late and has been causing controversy among fans and fighters alike.

On April 24 - one week after the review takes place - Alistair Overeem will be appearing before the commission to explain why, at a random test in March, his testosterone ratio was 14:1. The upper limit is 6:1. If he cannot convince the commission of a legitimate reason he will be denied a license to fight Junior Dos Santos for the UFC heavyweight title in May, which would be a disaster both for him and for the UFC.

But multiple sources have told Fighters Only that Overeem will be presenting the commission with evidence to show that he has been undergoing TRT himself. His team are confident that this is a waterright defence as he would not have been obliged to disclose TRT in March when tested; most such disclosures are made only when the license is applied for.

Overeem’s prescription and paperwork does not have to be from any US doctor nor does it have to be in English, which means it may take some time for the committee to decipher, but as long as all the right boxes are ticked he is in the clear and the fight with Dos Santos goes ahead.

NSAC to review TRT exemption policy next week - Fighters Only

[Leucoethiops]

14:1 won't be cleared.

[CRisCO]

TRT is bullshit honestly and this is from a Chael fan.

[Qball1974]

If this is allowed my days as an MMA fan will be numbered, the UFC has to step up to the plate and end this shit now!!

[The Donosaur]

I don't wanna live on this planet anymore.

[Cat--Smasher]

UFC VP Marc Ratner talks testosterone, new International MMA Federation - Fighters Only

[Fear My Hammer Fist]

I, for one, hope that TRT is allowed, under strict (very strict) guidelines and stringent testing. It is a legitimate treatment for a diagnosed medical condition.

The problem is that SOME fighters are using it as shield or excuse to juice, plain and simple. Some assholes are abusing a legitimate exemption process for illegal reasons, which will detriment guys who could actually benefit from it.

An outright ban is not the answer, and I feel it's a bit narrow minded to think that way. The treatment and exemption process CAN be legitimized, if the governing body has the determination to get the job done properly.

[rivethead]

Originally Posted by Fear My Hammer Fist

I, for one, hope that TRT is allowed, under strict (very strict) guidelines and stringent testing. It is a legitimate treatment for a diagnosed medical condition.

Right. There is a difference between proper use, and abuse.

I'd really like to see

• fighters needing to go to an endocrinologist to get diagnosed/therapy plan
• fighters needing to go to the same doctor to get injections, not doing it themselves
• fighters needing to be tested routinely thoughout the year while on the treatment.

But I don't have a lot of faith that any of those things are going to happen.

Time will tell.

rh

[TBEAR]

Originally Posted by rivethead

Right. There is a difference between proper use, and abuse.

I'd really like to see

• fighters needing to go to an endocrinologist to get diagnosed/therapy plan
• fighters needing to go to the same doctor to get injections, not doing it themselves
• fighters needing to be tested routinely thoughout the year while on the treatment.

But I don't have a lot of faith that any of those things are going to happen.

Time will tell.

rh

I think all of those are great. I guess my one concern with this plan, is how can we/they make this cover all the SAC's?

I just foresee problems as long as Cali does it this way and NSAC does it that way, etc. The only way I know of would be a unified body...

[Rise]

Originally Posted by Leucoethiops

14:1 won't be cleared.

Let's hope not but sounds like he has a case with some merit so I can see him skating by on it.