Elias Theodorou Granted Exemption For Medical Cannabis

TheodorouElias Theodorou has become the first mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter to be granted a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for medical cannabis. The former UFC middleweight has been a big advocate of medical cannabis and was previously seeking the exemption while with competing in the UFC only to be denied by the United States Anti-Doping […]

Theodorou

Elias Theodorou has become the first mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter to be granted a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for medical cannabis.

The former UFC middleweight has been a big advocate of medical cannabis and was previously seeking the exemption while with competing in the UFC only to be denied by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

However, per a statement from his management group Paradigm, Theodorou has now been granted an exemption by the British Columbia Athletic Commission.

“I am grateful both as a patient and an athlete for the approval of my medical cannabis TUE by the BC Athletic Commission, recognizing my fundamental Canadian right to medicate as prescribed by my medical doctor,” Theodorou said in the statement (via MMA Fighting). “I remain committed to fighting the negative stigma of medical cannabis, not only for myself but for all athletes.”

The TUE allows Theodorou “to continue his doctor-prescribed use of medicinal cannabis and protects him from penalty if he tests above the previous threshold for in-competition use. He will follow the guidelines provided by the athletic commission regarding fight-week medical use.”

Theodorou was released from the UFC following a drab performance against Derek Brunson. He has since competed at a PFC show in Windsor, Ontario, where he defeated fellow ex-UFC fighter Hernani Perpetuo via third-round TKO in December.

What do you make of Theodorou being granted the exemption?

Eryk Anders on Theodorou Release: He Doesn’t Sell Tickets

Elias Theodorou was released from the UFC following his loss to Derek Brunson at UFC Ottawa last month. Since then, there has been speculation as to what led to the 8-3 fighter being released from the promotion. Dana White expressed that Theodorou show…

Elias Theodorou was released from the UFC following his loss to Derek Brunson at UFC Ottawa last month. Since then, there has been speculation as to what led to the 8-3 fighter being released from the promotion. Dana White expressed that Theodorou showed no potential of being a top 5 fighter, but the consensus is […]

The post Eryk Anders on Theodorou Release: He Doesn’t Sell Tickets appeared first on MMA News.

Elias Theodorou Speaks Out On UFC Release: ‘I Have No Ill Will’

Former UFC middleweight Elias Theodorou finally broke his silence on his unexpected release from the Las Vegas-based promotion. Following his unanimous decision defeat to Derek Brunson last month, it emerged that Theodorou had been released from the company. Some sections of mixed martial arts fans were happy with the news as the Canadian was not […]

The post Elias Theodorou Speaks Out On UFC Release: ‘I Have No Ill Will’ appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Former UFC middleweight Elias Theodorou finally broke his silence on his unexpected release from the Las Vegas-based promotion.

Following his unanimous decision defeat to Derek Brunson last month, it emerged that Theodorou had been released from the company. Some sections of mixed martial arts fans were happy with the news as the Canadian was not the most exciting fighter. However, others were shocked as despite his conservative style, Theodorou still had an 8-3 record in the UFC.

Finally speaking in-depth on his release, Theodorou revealed in a recent interview that he holds no grudges toward the UFC:

“I have no ill will toward the UFC,” Theodorou told MMA Junkie. “I don’t think being upset about it does anyone good. Especially myself. I don’t want to burn any bridges, but I also want to look at it in the positive aspects where I’m happy and healthy, and I’ve been successful in 20 of my professional times.”

The good news for “The Spartan” is that he will likely not be out of work anytime soon, as he claims a number of promotions have already reached out to him.

“There are many organizations that have already reached out that pretty much pay what the UFC pays in some capacity,” Theodorou said. “And now with the avenue of having sponsors potentially involved, there are avenues I could make the same money as a UFC fighter elsewhere.”

Theodorou Speculates On Release

So what was the actual reason Theodorou was released? The 31-year-old is not sure, but speculated it may have been a financial decision.

“The UFC does have 600 athletes,” Theodorou added. “I think they just looked at what I was making now being 8-3 in the UFC, the five or seven Canadian fighters they recently added, they probably can pay every single one of their paychecks with my paycheck.

That’s not to say Theodorou did not accept responsibility for his lackluster fight with Brunson. In fact, he’s considering reinventing his style as he doesn’t rule out a future return to the UFC.

“I’ve kind of looked at myself as a Pollack painting,” he said. “Abstract with its own beauty. But it seems if you don’t look at MMA as a sport, but rather entertainment, I’ve gotta be more Van Gogh, and cut my ear – or someone else’s ear.”

The post Elias Theodorou Speaks Out On UFC Release: ‘I Have No Ill Will’ appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Elias Theodorou Opens Up on UFC Release

Elias Theodorou is a man who put together an impressive UFC record of 8-3 and had won three of his last four fights before being granted his walking papers from the promotion. The predominant speculation as to why that is has been narrowed down to the …

Elias Theodorou is a man who put together an impressive UFC record of 8-3 and had won three of his last four fights before being granted his walking papers from the promotion. The predominant speculation as to why that is has been narrowed down to the fighting style of Theodorou, which is unorthodox yet conservative […]

The post Elias Theodorou Opens Up on UFC Release appeared first on MMA News.

Brunson: Theodorou’s Release Unrelated to Fighting Style

Elias Theodorou’s final UFC fight took place in a bout against Derek Brunson at UFC Ottawa. Brunson was the victor, and Theodorou was swiftly given the axe after the loss. The release of Theodorou has been a talking point around the MMA community, spec…

Elias Theodorou’s final UFC fight took place in a bout against Derek Brunson at UFC Ottawa. Brunson was the victor, and Theodorou was swiftly given the axe after the loss. The release of Theodorou has been a talking point around the MMA community, specifically adding fuel to the “sport vs. entertainment” debate. After all, the […]

The post Brunson: Theodorou’s Release Unrelated to Fighting Style appeared first on MMA News.

Dana White Speaks On UFC Releases Of Elias Theodorou & Justin Willis

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White has explained his decision to release Elias Theodorou and Justin Willis. Fight fans were surprised to hear the news of previously ranked middleweight Theodorou’s release. “The Sparta…

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White has explained his decision to release Elias Theodorou and Justin Willis. Fight fans were surprised to hear the news of previously ranked middleweight Theodorou’s release. “The Spartan” had his three-fight winning streak snapped by Derek Brunson in a close but unanimous decision loss. Willis was also ranked as […]

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