List of UFC Fighters Who Smoke Weed

Herb
Fri, Nov 14
Key Points
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Cannabis use is mainstream in MMA – In a 2020 survey, 45.9% of professional MMA fighters reported using marijuana for recovery or recreation, demonstrating normalized behavior among elite athletes, not outlier activity Policy revolution enables open advocacy – Effective Dec 31, 2023, UFC launched a new Anti-Doping Policy administered by Drug Free Sport International where marijuana/THC is not prohibited, creating a watershed moment for fighters to launch brands and speak publicly Recovery drives usage more than recreation – Fighters consistently frame cannabis as a medical necessity and alternative to addictive opioids, with specific applications for pain, anxiety, sleep, and post-fight recovery Fighter entrepreneurship is booming – At least one former UFC fighter has built a multimillion-dollar cannabis business, creating a new athlete-entrepreneur category that extends careers beyond the octagon CBD dominates recovery protocols – In the same 2020 survey, 76.5% of fighters reported using CBD products specifically for recovery, making it the most widely adopted cannabis product in the sport Your dispensary options include fighter-founded brands – From Game Up Nutrition to specialized strains like Suga Show OG, Herbs dispensary directory can help you find products created by the fighters themselves

Nate Diaz is one of MMA’s most visible cannabis advocates, widely known for popularizing athlete cannabis use and pioneering fighter-led cannabis businesses. Co-founded Game Up Nutrition in 2018, offering CBD and later THC products under Kill4209 Highlighted cannabis as a recovery tool rather than just a recreational substance Famously vaped CBD at a 2016 UFC press conference Influence extends beyond fighting—normalized cannabis for athletes and inspired others to follow his business model

Nick Diaz is considered a cannabis pioneer in MMA, facing consequences for advocacy and helping catalyze broader acceptance within the sport. Received a 5-year suspension (later reduced) for marijuana use, highlighting past harsh penalties Co-founded Game Up Nutrition alongside Nate Diaz Committed to advocacy despite challenges, establishing a blueprint for today’s fighters His legacy continues, inspiring fighters who benefit from policy changes

Conor McGregor’s partnership with plant-based wellness brands brought global attention to athlete recovery and wellness entrepreneurship in combat sports. Partnered with TIDL Sport, promoting plant-based products for recovery Maintains measured public stance—not as vocal as the Diaz brothers His ventures legitimize recovery applications for mainstream sports fans Demonstrates successful athlete transition into entrepreneurship

Sean O’Malley’s openness about cannabis, including launching his own strain, marks a new era in fighter advocacy and business. Launched the Suga Show OG strain, deepening his commitment to cannabis culture Credits marijuana for relaxation and lifestyle management Vocal about its role in training routines His advocacy normalizes use among younger fans and fighters

Amanda Nunes exemplifies acceptance of CBD among elite female athletes, showing cannabis-derived products are now mainstream for recovery. Sponsored by cbdMD, a major CBD brand Elite performance and CBD—Nunes challenges stereotypes about cannabis impairing athletes Her position addresses gender gap in fighter cannabis advocacy Paved the way for more female fighters to discuss cannabis openly

Matt Riddle positions cannabis as medically necessary, focusing on its benefits over conventional painkillers for fighters. Uses cannabis for pain management, sleep, and recovery Highlights medical necessity rather than recreation Advocates for cannabis as a safer alternative to opioids Educates fans on therapeutic benefits for MMA athletes

Donald Cerrone’s direct approach made cannabis a normalized, practical tool for recovery among long-time combat sports athletes. Stated, “Fighters should use cannabis over pain pills—no question” Smokes whenever he wishes; uses CBD hemp oil for recovery Helped normalize cannabis as a recovery tool Decades-long career shows compatibility with elite athletic performance

Gilbert Urbina’s advocacy shows the mainstream nature of cannabis in MMA, backed by broad usage estimates among fighters. Estimates that 50% of MMA fighters use cannabis Partners with Gelato cannabis; uses THC-infused balms for recovery Provides insight into real application methods (e.g., cuts, scrapes, combined products) Business partnerships signal emerging opportunities for fighters

Elias Theodorou is respected for pushing cannabis policy reform and fighting for therapeutic exemptions in MMA. Secured a therapeutic use exemption for bilateral neuropathy pain Leading advocate for cannabis reform in professional sports Activism connects fighter advocacy to social justice issues Legacy inspires continued work towards policy reform

Frank Shamrock’s experience as a veteran fighter provides perspective on cannabis for long-term health management and trauma recovery. Uses cannabis for chronic pain and brain trauma Highlights cumulative damage suffered by fighters Endorsement carries weight as a sport pioneer Open use for traumatic brain injury helps reduce stigma

Steve Cantwell’s success in business illustrates the potential for fighters to lead and grow cannabis enterprises after retirement from sports. Built Green Life Productions, a multimillion-dollar company in Nevada Transitioned from athletic career to industry leadership Expanded from one facility to national ambitions Offers a blueprint for fighter-entrepreneurs

Jake Shields bridges fight expertise and cannabis advocacy, helping normalize use through participation in unique community events. Active in High Rollerz, cannabis-friendly jiu-jitsu events Leverages credibility for responsible cannabis use education Integrates combat sports and cannabis culture Shows that athletic performance and cannabis can coexist

Bas Rutten adds international credibility to cannabis advocacy, supporting CBD for recovery and influencing the broader MMA community. Hall of Fame fighter speaking on CBD’s benefits Provides an international perspective—norms vary across cultures Advocacy extends to commentators and trainers Helps worldwide audiences recognize medical legitimacy of CBD

Ian McCall broadens advocacy into plant medicine, including psychedelics for trauma—expanding athlete wellness conversations. Promotes psychedelics and plant medicine for brain health Pushes boundaries in wellness conversations Highlights alternative medicine for fighter trauma Increases openness about mental health in athletics

Ronda Rousey’s public defense of cannabis-using fighters helps bridge the gender gap and amplify female voices in cannabis advocacy. Famously defended Nick Diaz after marijuana suspension Limited personal cannabis use visibility, but addresses gender representation Star power helps normalize cannabis among top athletes Shows solidarity across advocacy movement

The fighters on this list utilize diverse cannabis products tailored to their specific recovery needs: CBD Products (Used by 76.5% of fighters in 2020 survey): CBD oils and tinctures (Game Up Nutrition, TIDL Sport) CBD pre-rolls CBD beauty products THC Products: THC-infused topicals and balms Specialized strains (Suga Show OG, Kill_4209) Vape products Edibles including THC-infused gummies Application Methods: Topical application: For cuts, scrapes, and localized pain Inhalation: For immediate anxiety relief and relaxation Oral consumption: For sustained recovery and sleep support

Fighter-founded cannabis brands are increasingly available through various channels. Herbs products catalog aggregates cannabis products across categories, including potential fighter-founded companies. For those seeking specific dispensaries that might carry these products, Herbs dispensary directory provides location-based searches across states and cities. Staying updated on new fighter cannabis ventures and product launches is possible through Herbs newsletters, which deliver bi-weekly updates on the latest cannabis news, including athlete advocacy and new product releases. The Herb Hype newsletter specifically covers new products and brand developments, making it an ideal resource for tracking fighter-founded cannabis businesses. For those interested in specific strains mentioned by fighters, such as Suga Show OG or other specialized genetics, Herbs strain guides provide detailed information about different cannabis varieties and their potential effects.