Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm continues to enjoy the perks of being at the top, but her latest endorsement does carry a bit of a controversy.
Her new deal is with a supplement maker Hi-Tech, a company that carries a product that is actually banned in the UFC. Other than that, the supplement called DMAA is also categorically known as illegal by the Food and Drug Administration which in all seems to place Holm in a bad light.
DMAA is a synthetic drug sold as a dietary supplement and partly used for improving athletic performance, as explained in a report from ESPN.
For her part, Holm is unlikely to take the controversial supplement. She has never had any issues when it comes to regular anti-doping program the UFC usually implements.
Holm has been tested seven times and she was always negative when results came back.
So why is Holm endorsing something that is banned in the UFC?
The UFC does not stand in the way of endorsements or sponsorships as long as such does not conflict with their contractual obligations with the company.
For as long as Holm does not use it and continues to hold up a clean slate when anti-doping tests are carried out, she is in the clear.
Her credibility will, of course, be on the line but, apparently, Holm knows herself better than anyone when it comes to knowing which is right and wrong.
Regardless, Holm is expected to continue to get similar offers as long as she is the reigning champion.
Holm is all set to return to the Octagon this March 5 against challenger Miesha Tate for UFC 197. It will be the co-main event alongside the Rafael dos Anjos vs. Conor McGregor tiff.
Holm got her wish to face Tate even before Ronda Rousey asked for more time off to fulfill her film obligations. The pressure is more on Holm to retain the title since the UFC is still keen on booking a rematch between her and Rousey.
Unfortunately, even that remains up in the air and can only be made if and when Rousey does bear her intentions to return to the UFC.
