The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) isn't taking any chances. Not only are they trying to implement a comprehensive drug-testing program... they're aiming for the best drug-testing program in all of sports.
On Thursday, the UFC announced that it's partnering with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for a stringent drug-testing program for their mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters. As part of the partnership, USADA will administer multiple unannounced, year-round independent tests of UFC competitors, starting on July 1, when the program officially begins.
How strict will it be? Well, the UFC will suspend steroid users between one and four years on a first offense, with rights to slap an eight-year ban for a second offense, and a lifetime ban for a third violation.
First-time violations of other banned substances – including marijuana and cocaine – will result in a ban between one and three years. Additionally, UFC competitors will be tested for these other banned substances six hours before weigh-ins and six hours after fights. Positive results can trigger forfeitures of titles, purses and rankings.
In total, the revamped drug-testing program will include a minimum of 2,750 combined tests per year of the 600-plus fighters the UFC has under contract.
"(The) UFC's goal for this policy is to have the best anti-doping program in all of professional sport," Jeff Novitzky, the UFC's new vice president of athlete health and performance, told reporters during a press conference Thursday, as reported by the AP.
Added UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta: "Any fighter on our roster now has the potential that they could be caught."
Aligning itself with USADA is a drastic measure for the UFC. After all, this is the same USADA that came down hard on Lance Armstrong. But then again, the UFC has had multiple fighters linked to drug use, including Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen, Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort.
That, and UFC president Dana White was forced to strip Jon Jones of the light heavyweight title in April. Jones had been allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident, in which marijuana was found inside his car. That came after Jones checked into rehab in January for cocaine use.
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