Welcome to the negative side of the media spotlight, Holly Holm.
The new darling of the sport of mixed martial arts has been linked to a pharmaceutical company that sells products that are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, according to USA Today Sports.
Holly Holm Defends Ronda Rousey In Face Of Detractors
One of Holm's sponsors, Intel Pharma, makes supplements that contain substances that WADA says are forbidden.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which follows WADA policy, oversees the UFC's doping protocol.
Holly Holm's UFC 193 Victory Over Ronda Rousey Was Not An Upset
Holm shocked UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey on Saturday night in Australia.
Intel Pharma has a photo of Holm on the home page of its website, touting her as an "Intel Pharma Athlete UFC Champion" with the caption, "Congratulations, we always believed!"
JAKnutrition, a vendor of Intel Pharma products, posted a photo of Holm on its Facebook page with the message, "Congrats to Holly Holm and Team Intel-Pharma!! Check out our full line of Intel-Pharma products!!"
According to USA Today, four of Intel Pharma's products that JAKnutrition sells "are labeled as Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMS), considered steroid alternatives and on WADA's banned substance list."
BALCO founder Victor Conte, who was found to have provided illegal substances to athletes and was connected with baseball slugger Barry Bonds, said Holm's relationship with Intel Pharma was concerning.
Red flags, anyone?
"This looks highly suspicious," Conte told USA Today. "This is crazy stuff.
The report added that Holm was unavailable for comment, but her manager, Lenny Fresquez, offered only a meek rationale as a response to Holm's partnership with the company.
"The first question I asked [Intel Pharma] was how many of these products were banned, and they were up front about it,'' Fresquez said. "Holly didn't really use them so it's not a big deal. ... I'm sure she didn't use any of them. She might have taken a picture with one."
A drug test could clear Holm's name, but her reputation may be damaged by virtue of her shocking upset. It would be easy for MMA fans to believe that the only way to beat Rousey is to cheat.
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