USADA to run UFC drug testing
Agency’s independence sets it apart from other leagues’ programs
The Las Vegas-based Ultimate Fighting Championship announced Wednesday it has tabbed the United States Anti-Doping Agency to run the organization’s drug-testing program.
A statement released by the organization calls it “the first all-encompassing, independently administered, anti-doping policy for a professional sports organization.”
All athletes under contract with the UFC will be subject to random out-of-competition testing and in-competition screenings from a period of six hours before weigh-ins until six hours after a fight, beginning July 1.
Blood and urine will be collected, and carbon isotope ratio testing will be performed, as well as tests for EPO and HGH.
Those testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs at any time are subject to a two-year suspension with up to a possible four-year ban in cases of aggravated circumstances such as participating in a conspiracy to conceal or tamper with test results or past test failures.
Each subsequent failure would result in a doubling of the penalty.
Drugs categorized as specified substances, including marijuana, cocaine and other stimulants, would be tested for in-competition only, which is in line with World Anti-Doping Agency protocol. The penalties in those cases begin at one year and also carry the potential for the twoyear enhancement for aggravated circumstances.
Jeff Novitzky, the new UFC vice president of athlete health and development, said he thinks the program is the best of its kind.
“This policy is a central part of UFC’s expanded efforts to protect the health and safety of its athletes and also their right to compete on a level playing field,” he said Wednesday at a news conference announcing the details of the partnership with USADA at Red Rock Resort. “UFC’s goal for this policy is to have the best anti-doping program in all of professional sports.
“This program will consist of unannounced year-round in- and out-of-competition testing with collection of both blood and urine with possibility of a collection occurring any place, any time, with no notice.”
Travis Tygart, the CEO of USADA, said the independence his agency has over the testing is what sets the UFC’s program apart from those of other major sports leagues.
He said the UFC will have no authority over who gets tested, when they get test- ed or how often.
He said he thinks the lengthy suspensions, which are on top of financial repercussions, including loss of the entire purse, loss of ranking, the stripping of any titles and forfeiture of victories, send a strong message to cheaters that their indiscretions are not worth the risk.
“The goal is to serve as a maximum deterrence,” he said. “We don’t want to catch anyone, but if they’re cheating, they’re going to get caught.”
Tygart said USADA will perform a minimum of 2,750 tests per year to start, which amounts to just over five per athlete under UFC contract.
The program is not limited to strictly random tests. There will be a whistle-blower line for fighters to provide information on possible doping violations and an investigative arm to pursue leads outside of positive tests.
Similar to Olympic-style testing, fighters will be required to keep USADA informed of their whereabouts. Failure to do so, or missing a scheduled test, will count as a strike against a fighter. Three strikes in a year will constitute a failed test.
Tygart said there is also an appeals process through which athletes can have their cases brought before an independent arbitrator.
One of the issues still to be resolved is how the UFC’s own testing program will fit with state athletic commissions that already regulate events and have their own procedures in place.
Tygart said what is most likely to happen is the longer of the suspensions will take precedence.
“In an ideal world, we’re on the same team,” Tygart said. “They want a clean sport, they want the health and safety of the athletes to be protected, they want the integrity of the competition, especially with the gaming aspect to be protected, and that’s what we want.”
The Nevada Athletic Commission intends to implement a three-year ban for first-time failures for performance-enhancing drugs later this year.
In addition to the drug testing protocols, UFC officials announced partnerships with Fusionetics and EXOS. The companies help athletes better understand their bodies and develop training techniques with the intent of reducing injury and maximizing performance and recovery.
Also, plans were announced to include a “UFC Lab” in the company’s new headquarters in southwest Las Vegas. The facility will be a state-of-the-art training center where athletes can train and rehabilitate injuries.
Plans are in place for the new headquarters, but no target date is set for completion.
■ NOTE — UFC 191 will take place Sept. 5 at the MGM Grand Garden. No fights have been announced for the card. Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.