Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida recently joined competing promotion Bellator MMA. After making the move, “The Dragon” revealed his relief for being out of the USADA testing pool. Now it would appear that another UFC veteran has a similar statement to make.
Ever since the UFC’s implementation of USADA, fighters and fight fans alike have met the anti-doping watchdogs with mixed reactions. Speaking on The MMA Hour, former UFC fighter Tom Lawlor revealed his thoughts on finally being released by the promotion.
“I am, however, happy to be out of the USADA testing pool. I don’t have to let them know where I am at all times and wonder about that. Those of you who [are aware of] Josh Barnett’s situation or kept abreast of that can kind of understand that not everything is fair when it comes to USADA and the UFC.”
“I think it was a combination of [the UFC] getting rid of guys and my age and having not fought in years. It’s unfortunate that the UFC has become such a large company that they don’t look at things on an individual basis, but that’s part of the game I guess, and part of the entertainment business. I just kind of have to take it and roll with it as it goes.”
“I was kind of shocked as I had asked previously for my release when I was given my USADA suspension, and believe me when I tell you that I did not intend to ingest any sort of ostarine or any performance-enhancing drug. I’m all-natural and I’ve been tested many times since then and passed all of them.”
