The Ultimate Fighter 16 coach Roy Nelson has signed on with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) prior to his TUF 16 finale fight with Shane Carwin.
VADA — an independent organization that offers anti-doping programs in boxing and MMA to help protect the health and safety of athletes and promote clean sport — offered their services to the TUF coaches and Nelson signed on, according to an MMA Glory Talent Group press release Thursday.
Nelson now is awaiting Shane Carwin’s commitment to the program prior to their fight on Dec. 15 in Las Vegas.
The two heavyweights have developed a fairly heated rivalry throughout the show.
Watch new episodes of The Ultimate Fighter 16 every Friday on Sportsnet and visit Sportsnet.ca for weekly recaps
“Roy Nelson has gotten under Shane Carwin’s skin all season and Shane’s ready to try to knock him out,” UFC president Dana White said. “I don’t expect this one to go the distance. Roy and Shane were civil to each other on ‘TUF,’ but they can’t stand each other and after having to spend six weeks together, Shane said he can’t wait to knock Roy out.”
Nelson said he is looking forward to fighting Carwin and wants to ensure it takes place on an even playing ground.
Carwin was named as a past customer of Applied Pharmacy Services (APS) after a federal judge handed one of its pharmacists, J. Michael Bennett, a four-year prison term for selling anabolic steroids, however Carwin has never failed a drug test or been accused of “juicing.”
“This fight is going to happen but it’s going to be fair. I know Shane has never failed a drug test in his professional fighting career. And that’s why as former champions we are leaders and it is essential that we make these stands for young athletes in our sport,” Nelson said. “We will settle our beef and squash the juice on Dec 15.”
