NFL player turned mixed martial arts professional Greg Hardy, faced more controversy in his most recent bout with Ben Sosoli at UFC Boston last month, after he used an inhaler between the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Although he got the win via unanimous decision, the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission (MSAC) overturned the decision, as video evidence surfaced of his action.

The usage of his inhaler created some confusion after Hardy claimed that he received approval from the ringside inspector. However, MSAC doesn’t allow any substance to be brought inside the Octagon.

Such act was clarified by Jeff Novitzky, UFC Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance, in the wake of Hardy’s match up with Alexander Volkov this weekend at UFC Moscow.

“In my world, in the USADA world, no [it’s not illegal], so that substance is allowed at all times, in and out of competition, as long as you keep it under a certain level,” Novitzky told MMA Fighting at UFC 244 this past weekend.

“I think it’s 800 micrograms per twelve hours. Each puff of an inhaler is 90. Unless you’re puffing a dozen times, you’re going to stay under that.”

Jeff was also quick to justify the mistake that the inspector committed when he gave the green light to Greg, which according to him was a misunderstanding.

“The other issue, obviously the commission issue, and I think we all saw on tape that he asked the inspector, who’s part of the commission, could he do this, and the inspector said yes. But my understanding (is) technically, you can’t do that, and the inspector was misinformed. I think because he used that substance, I guess against the rules of the commission is my understanding.”

Finally, Jeff Novitzky gave out his final verdict about the matter and insisted that a rule is a rule, thus it must be regulated.

“No, he wouldn’t be allowed to use it [at UFC Moscow], it’s not an anti-doping [situation]. It’s a commission rule.”

Novitzky though offered a piece of advice to Greg Hardy in his upcoming bout.

“I think it would be OK and most commissions would be OK you took a puff in the back before you walked out, but I don’t think any commission allows any substances other than bottled water inside [the cage].”

Greg Hardy faces Alexander Volkov in the co-main event of UFC Moscow, which goes down at the CSKA Arena on November 9th.

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