Frank Mir used TRT while training for UFC 146

News recently broke that UFC 146 Heavyweight title challenger Frank Mir had received a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) prior to the bout. Confirmed by NSAC commissioner Keith Kizer, Mir was said to have T:E levels of roughly 1:1. This is a far cry from Alistair Overeem‘s levels, the man whom he replaced in the bout. Overeem did not use TRT as a defense for his failed drug test and registered at 14:1 T:E levels.

The news comes as yet another example of a recent string of fighters being granted the TUE for Testosterone. A hotly debated topic that has surrounded Chael Sonnen, Quinton Rampage Jackson, and Dan Henderson, Mir now joins the list. He lost the fight via TKO, but one would have to think that if he had won the title, this finding would be much more controversial. His opponent Junior dos Santos has stated that he is a completely clean fighter and would never use TRT or PEDs.

TRT is seemingly becoming more commonplace in the UFC right now. The exemptions granted by the council do not appear to be highly difficult to obtain if the fighter is up-front with the commission and takes all of the necessary steps to document its use. In Mir’s case, Kizer stated that he would still have to remain under the 6:1 T:E maximum levels allowed by NSAC standards. As we all know, Nick Diaz was suspended for one year after testing positive for marijuana metabolites. Many thought this was a bit harsh, as fighters left and right are beginning to use a performance-enhancing injection like Testosterone with approval. Is this a black eye on the sport of MMA? Could it be a loophole that ultimately causes the mainstream public to look down on fighting? Hopefully it never reaches the point where a fighter must use TRT to remain competitive. The subject will rage on when Sonnen faces Anderson Silva on July 7th.

Further Reading: Chael Sonnen granted TRT use exemption by NSAC