UFC
Roy Nelson signs on with VADA for Shane Carwin bout, Carwin's camp not taking part
Oct 12, 2012 - 11:35:05 AM Roy Nelson signs on with VADA for Shane Carwin bout, Carwin's camp not taking part

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) this week said they have reached out to both Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin ahead of their headlining bout at The Ultimate Fighter Finale in December. Nelson has signed on to take part in their testing program, but Carwin's camp says they haven't actually been contacted at all.

"Dr. Margaret Goodman and the Voluntary Anti‐Doping Association (VADA) is offering their service to Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin to clean up the black eye in combat sports with its testing for performance‐enhancing drugs," A press release read this week. "Roy Nelson has already signed on with VADA and now awaiting Shane Carwin’s commitment."

"This fight is going to happen but it’s going to be fair," Nelson commented. "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. We will settle our beef and squash the juice on Dec 15."

Despite those statements, Carwin's camp says they haven't been contacted by VADA, and they still have some hard feelings towards them due to their comments regarding Carwin's name being linked to a shipment of steroids.

"The only time I heard of VADA was when they posted their story making false and defamatory comments about Shane," Carwin's manager Jason Genet said in an interview with MMAWeekly.com. "They removed the article. They are a bully not a valid independent regulatory body."

"Our office has not been contacted and you can contact us or Shane right through his website. He even tweeted his phone number so it is not like we are avoiding anyone's call."

Penick's Analysis: It doesn't sound like Carwin's going to be having anything to do with VADA, so that may lead to some more comments from Nelson on the subject. The past between VADA and Carwin will not have his camp coming around to them, but Nelson will likely still take part in the system. What that means for the fight remains to be seen, but I don't think it's going to harm the fight or the event. Genet said Carwin will go along with any testing from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but not with Vada.

[Shane Carwin art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]