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UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy used an inhaler during the break to get himself ready for round 3.
UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy is embroiled in another controversy.
In between rounds two and three of his UFC Boston fight against Ben Sosoli, “The Prince of War” asked for an inhaler, and puffed through it before stepping back in for the final stanza.
Hardy was asked by someone believed to be a commission official if he had the inhaler with him, to which the fighter responded by saying it was in his pocket. He later added it was “USADA approved.”
Daniel Cormier, Dominick Cruz, and Jon Anik were all baffled by what happened, as they immediately sought answers from the UFC’s VP of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner.
“Completely illegal,” Ratner said.
“I just heard him ask for it and his cornerman gave it to him. But that is against all the rules,” he added.
ESPN correspondent Brett Okamoto immediately looked into the matter, stating if the inhaler was indeed USADA approved as Hardy claimed, there is no issue about using it.
Based on EARLY messages I’ve sent out (still looking into it), if the inhaler adheres to USADA guidelines or if Hardy has a TUE, he can use it.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 19, 2019
Of course, this action was met by unfavorable responses from the MMA community.
Someone has to roll into the next UFC card with a giant oxygen tank and mask.
— Trent Reinsmith (@TrentReinsmith) October 19, 2019
The best part of this is that Hardy is acting like a dick because he thinks he’s walking to an easy win. He doesn’t know he already lost this fight by using an inhaler. I can’t wait to see his face.
— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) October 19, 2019
— Dillon Danis (@dillondanis) October 19, 2019
Hardy was awarded a unanimous decision victory, as he improves to a record of 6-1 (with 5 wins by knockout).