The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services has greenlighted therapeutic use exemptions (TUE's) for two UFC Heavyweights to use testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Frank Mir and Ben Rothwell will be allowed to supplement their body's natural production of the hormonal steroid for their bouts with Josh Barnett and Brandon Vera at UFC 164.
Mir has previously been granted a TUE for his UFC 146 title fight loss to Junior dos Santos. He last fought against Daniel Cormier at UFC on Fox 7 and openly discussed his use of TRT before that bout. Josh Barnett, Mir's UFC 164 opponent, has notoriously failed three previous drug tests for steroids, twice with the UFC and once while fighting for the short-lived Affliction promotion.
Rothwell's UFC 164 opponent Brandon Vera has previously had a loss to Thiago Silva overturned due to Silva's attempt to fake a urine sample following his UFC 125 bout with Vera.
When informed about Rothwell's TUE for TRT, Vera said, "It won't help."
MMA Junkie originally reported the story then added this update: "Updated at 5 p.m. ET on Aug. 22, 2013, to reflect the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services not explicitly saying the Rothwell and Mir exemptions were for TRT."
Steve Marrocco later tweeted the following:
SBN coverage of UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis
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