TORONTO – UFC middleweight Elias Theodorou has been beating the drum for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to change its stance on medical cannabis.

Theodorou (16-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC), who defeated Eryk Anders (11-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) by split decision on Saturday at UFC 231, has been a major proponent of allowing a greater window for cannabis use ahead of stepping in the octagon, but thus far his efforts have not materialized how he’s wanted.

An attempt to receive a therapeutic-use exception from USDADA ahead of UFC 231 did not bare any fruit, but Theodorou said he won’t stop trying to create change.

“I’m going to take the rest of the year to learn and grow,” Theodorou told reporters, including MMAjunkie, post-fight at UFC 231. “My next fight isn’t against one man, it’s against the stigma of medical cannabis, and that means working to push through my therapeutic-use exception with USADA to medicate.”

Theodorou, 30, believes he’s currently being held back from delivering his best performances because of how the rules are structured. He said there are many issues going into fight night that cannabis can help alleviate, and although he’s still able to win, he wants to know what he’s truly capable of.

“It’s a competitive disadvantage that I currently find myself in,” Theodorou said. “Anything worth fighting (for) is hard and long, and it’s a fight I’m willing to take.”

Theodorou was able to edge Anders on the scorecards in a competitive fight in the middleweight division at UFC 231, which took place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Theodorou said there were aspects of his performance he wasn’t happy with, but the Canadian intends to build off his third consecutive victory, which came against an opponent who talked a big game prior to fight night.

“He said he was going to be the first person to finish me,” Theodorou said. “Instead he lost to the first ring boy ever.”

For complete coverage of UFC 231, check out the UFC Events section of the site.