Controversy ensued at UFC Fight Night Boston when Hardy was caught using an inhaler in between rounds two and three, but UFC Senior VP Of Athlete Health & Performance Jeff Novitzky says there won’t be a problem in Moscow.
“No, he wouldn’t be allowed to use it,” Novitzky said after UFC 244 (via Damon Martin of MMA Fighting). “It’s not an anti-doping [situation]. It’s a commission rule. I think it would be OK and most commissions would be OK you took a puff in the back before you walked out, but I don’t think any commission allows any substances other than bottled water inside [the cage].”
Hardy didn’t face any sanctions for using the inhaler at UFC Boston, as a member of the athletic commission allowed the fighter to use it.
Novitzky also says that there was no rule by USADA or his personal world that would’ve made inhaler usage illegal.
“In my world, in the USADA world, no [it’s not illegal], so that substance is allowed at all times, in and out of competition, as long as you keep it under a certain level,” Novitzky said. “I think it’s 800 micrograms per 12 hours. Each puff of an inhaler is 90. Unless you’re puffing a dozen times, you’re going to stay under that.”
UFC Fight Night Moscow takes place on Saturday, November 9 from the CSKA Arena in Moscow, Russia with Zabit Magomedsharipov and Calvin Kattar headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which streams live on ESPN+.
