The recent split between the UFC and USADA has fueled PED talks among the promotion’s fanbase. Adding fuel to the fire is UFC welterweight Sean Brady, who claimed that fighters still use prohibited substances and successfully hide this from the testing authorities. This revelation left UFC commentator Joe Rogan puzzled on his podcast.
According to USADA regulations, using intravenous infusions and injections is prohibited while a fighter is in their testing pool. There are, of course, exemptions to this rule, but only under specific circumstances. However, Brady’s confession tells us a different story.
Sean Brady blows the whistle on doping while on the Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan recently had a conversation with the #7 ranked welterweight fighter, Sean Brady, on ‘JRE MMA Show’ #152. While discussing fighters using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), Brady dropped a bombshell confession about the use of intravenous infusions among the fighters despite it being banned by the USADA.
Brady confessed that fighters still use IV. “100%, really 100%. Because if you’re cheating and getting away, guys are definitely getting away with taking PEDs. There’s a way to get away with it. What are they going to test for? ,” asked Brady.
He further emphasized that even if fighters use IV, the doping agency would not be able to find out the difference, and with USADA leaving the scene, fighters might use the method even more – “The traces of plastic in your blood? But from what I have heard, we’re drinking stuff that has plastic in it all the time.
So, how are you going to know it’s an IV? I was hoping that with this new USADA being done, we are going to be able to IV. But I was talking to the PI, and he said, like, the science. He was saying that it’s better orally to do it anyway. Like, you are better off doing it.”
However, it must be noted that if an athlete needs an intrave͏nous (IV) treatment, a Therapeuti͏c Use ͏Exemption (TUE) ͏permits them not only to use this method of͏ administration but also to surpass the set limits. This exempti͏on can͏ be extended to cover banned͏ substan͏ces by obtaining two TUEs—one for the prohibited substance and another for exceeding the allowed volume͏.
Before Brady’s revelations on IVs, there was another incident that brought the issue to the forefront. It involved two UFC champions and one mega fight from 2023.
The time when Islam Makhahcev was accused of using IVs
Dan Hooker once made allegations against Islam Makhachev, accusing him of cheating through the use ͏of͏ IV infusions at UFC 284. Hooker͏’s claims sent shockwaves through the mixed martial arts community.
Following Makhachev’s impressive victory over Alexander Volkanovski, the featherweight champion, Volkanovski’s City Kickboxing teammate Dan Hooker made some serious accusations against the lightweight champion. Hooker expressed his frustration on X (formerly Twitter) in a strongly worded rant, alleging that Makhachev had employed a nurse to administer intravenous injections to rehydrate after the weigh-ins.
However, later, the allegations were dropped by the USADA, but the defamation remained with Makhachev. With USADA being replaced by Drug-Free Sport International, what new changes do you expect to see in this issue? Let us know in the comments.
