BOSTON — Former NFL All-Pro defensive end Greg Hardy’s unanimous-decision UFC victory over Ben Sosoli at heavyweight Friday night was changed to a no-contest by the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission because Hardy used an asthma inhaler between rounds.

“I asked permission and was told I could use it,” Hardy said. “It’s an inhaler I’ve used my entire life. I never used it during a fight. That’s why I asked permission.”

Said White: “He asked the (Massachusetts commission) inspector if he could use it. The inspector asked if it was medically approved. He said it was USADA-approved (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency). But all you can have during the fight is water.”

All three judges scored the bout 39-37. Hardy, who played for the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys, is now 3-1 with one no-contest. Sosoli dropped to 7-2 with two no-contests.

Both fighters stayed on their feet for almost the entire fight except for when Hardy briefly sent Sosoli to the mat with a leg kick in the final 90 seconds.