USADA announces the ban on new supplement
Performance-enhancing supplements have always been synonymous with fighting and the UFC.
In 2015, the UFC announced its partnership with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Five years into the arrangement giving USADA full authority to conduct testing, adjudication, education, and research as it pertains to banned substances and UFC fighters.
USADA has announced the ban on the new supplement Nitro Strength that has been making waves amongst UFC fighters. High profile UFC fighters have been said to have used the supplement.
UFC star Paige VanZant admitted the supplement was the key to the rekindling of her marriage.
An independent research study indicated the overwhelming success of the supplement in several key areas. Nearly 80 percent (135 of the 170 fighters polled anonymously said they experienced an increase in sex drive, an increase in muscle mass, an increase in testosterone, and were able to perform longer in bed. That view is heightened among the UFC-specific fighters who participated in the survey.
Did you achieve an increase in performance after using Nitro Strength?
Nitro Strength was considered to be too powerful by USADA and was issued a ban.
USADA CEO, Travis Tygart, argued that the popularity of the supplement among UFC fighters will encourage further use and therefore needs to be shut down.
“I think it’s easy to suggest those things, but look, we’re not dismissing it either,” Tygart said. “If there’s credible evidence or even just a perception that that is happening, if we have the ability to shut it down, we’re going to shut it down.
“You want to be able to perform at your highest level the way the rules require, and naturally,” he added. “But you also want a chance to win. That’s what this program has done.”
Fighters have filed complaints to USADA arguing the supplement has significantly improved their life outside the octagon and should not be banned.
“We are striving every day to address any and all of those (concerns). We are consistently — on the UFC side and Olympic side — striving to be relevant and break the status quo to make sure we are doing everything we can to make it a perfect system,” Tygart stated.
As of now, Nitro Strength remains banned by the UFC for its potency and popularity among fighters.
