Jasmine Jasudavicius has shed light on the speculation that she was using a nicotine pouch during her UFC Winnipeg bout, stating that the item observed by fans was, in fact, chewing gum. The Canadian flyweight athlete clarified this after footage from her fight with Karine Silva circulated online, sparking considerable discussion across MMA social media platforms.
Jasmine Jasudavicius Laughs Off Nicotine Pouch Rumor After Victory
The moment in question occurred during Jasudavicius’ fight against Silva on April 18th at UFC Fight Night in Winnipeg. During a break between rounds, cameras appeared to capture a white object in her mouth. After removing her mouthguard, she was seen adjusting it under her lower lip before reinserting the mouthguard. This action led to widespread speculation on social media about the presence of a nicotine pouch.
“It’s so funny because I’m one of the only people in the gym who doesn’t use those nicotine pouches. I train with gum, and I was warming up with gum… I’ve fought with gum in the past, but I forgot to spit it out before the walkout, and it was still in my mouth. It’s better than a toothpick… If I choke on it, then I’m the one to blame.”
Jasudavicius found the claim amusing and explained that she had been warming up with gum, forgot to discard it before entering the octagon, and only realized it was still present later. She mentioned having fought with gum before, deeming it “better than a toothpick,” and accepting full responsibility should she ever choke on it. She also pointed out that she is one of the few individuals in her gym who abstains from nicotine pouches, which further added to her amusement at the reaction.
The rapid fan reaction stemmed from the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, which prohibit foreign substances on the body and also govern equipment and safety during competition. Reports highlighted that any foreign object in the mouth during a fight could be considered a rule violation, thus drawing attention beyond typical fight-night commentary.
Many fans drew a parallel to Benson Henderson, who gained notoriety for fighting with a toothpick in his mouth early in his career. This historical precedent amplified the attention on the Jasudavicius clip, especially given that the footage emerged shortly after her significant victory in front of a home crowd.
Regarding the fight itself, Jasudavicius secured a unanimous decision victory over Silva, with all three judges scoring the bout 29-28. UFC Stats indicate she achieved three takedowns compared to Silva’s none. This win improved her professional record to 15-4, halting a losing streak following her previous defeat to Manon Fiorot.
Therefore, the situation is now clear: Jasmine Jasudavicius did not compete with a nicotine pouch in her mouth at UFC Winnipeg. According to her own account, it was chewing gum throughout the entire fight.