What mattered most at UFC on ESPN 6 in Boston? Here are a few post-fight musings …
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1. Inhaler-gate
It’s hard to know where to even beginning with this whole inhaler controversy that turned Greg Hardy’s (4-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) unanimous decision win over Ben Sosoli (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) into a no contest. Never in all my years covering combat sports have I seen a fight ask to use an inhaler mid-fight, let alone actually receive approval to do it.
The crux of this issue seems to come down to this: Hardy believed disclosing the inhaler to the commission pre-fight in Boston as well as on his U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) paperwork allowed him use of the inhaler at all times. He apparently didn’t have knowledge that in-competition use is illegal, and the commission member who gave him approval in the footage was misinformed, as well.
Hardy’s chief corner, Din Thomas, probably should have recognized using an inhaler between rounds was a violation of the rules. However, it’s understandable that in the midst of the chaos of a fight, he didn’t fully comprehend what was going on. Still, though, he should’ve had a better understanding of the moment, as there’s a reason this has never happened to anyone else.
The entire thing was just bizarre, and it’s magnified by the fact it happened to Hardy, who is a lightning rod for controversy as it is. It didn’t much seem like he needed it, anyway, because he was way ahead in the fight with Sosoli.
Hardy did the illegal action, though, and while it may not always be the case with him, he suffered the consequences this time.
5 biggest takeaways from UFC on ESPN 6: Reyes' title shot, Weidman's future, inhaler-gate and more
