The UFC has announced the detail to a new drug testing program that will result in new punishments for athletes, as well as an increase in testing. In February it was announced that the UFC would be changing its drug testing policies in a major way.
A super panel that included Dana White, Lawrence Epstein and members of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency spoke at a press conference in Las Vegas. The entire press conference can be seen below.
The UFC’s New Drug Testing Program Announced
The UFC announced that they will be partnering with the USADA, who will take charge in overseeing the new drug testing program, as well managing the drug testing results.
Jeff Novitzky, who was recently announced as the Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance, will oversee the drug testing program as well work with the USADA.
When it comes to suspension lengths, the UFC has created two categories to separate different types of drug testing failures. Specified substances, such as marijuana, alcohol or cocaine, will result in a minimum one year suspension for a first offense, with the punishment doubling for each additional offense.
Non-specified substances, such as HGH, steroids etc., will result in a minimum two year suspension for a first offense, with the punishment doubling for each additional offense. This means that a 3rd offense would result in a minimum suspension of 8 years.
Suspensions can be lengthened in each category by an additional two years if the person have previously failed drug tests, had obvious intent, was caught with multiple substances, along with several other factors.
Along with a suspension, the fighter will also have their fight result turned into a disqualification, will forfeit a championship, lose their ranking and have to give back 100% of their fight purse.
The definition of in-competition testing has also changed due to the new policy. Beforehand an in-competition test would take place within a 12 hour window of a fighter competing. This has now been changed to 6 hours before a fighter weighs in until 6 hours after they fight, increasing the window to approximately 36 hours.
The new program will begin on July 1st, with UFC 189: Aldo vs. McGregor being the first event to run under the new program. The UFC expects a minimum of 2,750 drug tests per year with the new program.
