Greg Hardy’s fight on Friday, 19th of October, was tagged as a ‘no bout contest’, despite having been announced as the winner. This was due to an action by the fighter prior to the start of the third round.
After the second round, Hardy had asked to use an inhaler. Now, the fault here is not the use of the inhaler, as it is not prohibited by the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission (MSAC). Rather the offence is that Hardy used it without notifying the board of its use beforehand. For one to bring in a device like an inhaler into a match, they must give the board a notice before the match.
But the issue gets more complicated. Hardy’s use of the inhaler was not entirely his own decision as before using it, an MSAC inspector had asked him if the inhaler was medically approved, to which Hardy responded in the affirmative, and proceeded to use it. So from the looks of things, the board may have been aware. It then asks the question, why was his victory overturned?
A statement by the MMA spokesperson, Carolyn Assa, revealed that the offence was that Hardy had not sought permission from the board in line with laid down regulations. The commission does not allow anything to be brought into the fight, save for water, ice and an extra mouthpiece. But according to the Massachusetts 523 CMR 12.07, any other material could be brought it as long as it is approved through a variance. A variance is a request, written, that is submitted to the commission, specifying what exactly the fighter wants. Unfortunately, Hardy never did that.
It was earlier thought that Hardy’s offence may have been that the inhaler was not approved, but it is not so as the MSAC recognizes the inhaler. A veteran official who lent his voice to the controversy, John McCarthy, said that the blame lies with the inspector who gave Hardy the go-ahead to use it. Indeed there is some truth to that as if the inspector had refused or consulted with others, and the who situation might have been salvaged.
Written by: Leon Osamor
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