Against doping, UFC announces more surprise tests and suspensions of up to four years

Dana White announced tough measures against doping in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction

The recent wave of doping cases in MMA, including that of the former champion Anderson Silva, caused the UFC to act and announce a series of measures against the use of illegal substances. In a press conference held this Tuesday afternoon (18), the organization announced that it will intensify its anti-doping policy through some drastic measures to curb the spread of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

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The main measure announced was the increase in surprise tests, carried out by the organization itself and no longer linked to the work of the Athletic Commissions – which regulate the events. According to the announcement, starting next July 1st, all fighters who perform in a main fight or a title fight will undergo surprise exams at some point during their preparation.

“What it seems to us is that something needs to be done to increase the number of out-of-competition tests,” said Lorenzo Fertitta, one of the owners of the UFC. “The UFC will ask all Commissions to test all athletes from all cards in competition. We want 100% of athletes tested the night they compete. And there is an additional cost related to that, and we will pay for any additional cost. This means that in a zero calendar, based on 41 events, we will carry out approximately 900 tests. In addition, the UFC will contact the responsible bodies to test all athletes in the main fights and title disputes from July 1st”, added Fertitta, who revealed that the organization is already working with third-party companies to carry out the collection. and test analysis.

In addition, President Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta also defended harsher penalties for athletes who are caught. Currently, if the fighter is a first-time offender, the standard sentence is nine months. The directors approached the policy currently adopted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which is a two-year suspension for athletes who test positive, and even suggested that this suspension period could reach four years in some cases.

“Stricter penalties are needed to cleanse sports of performance-enhancing drugs. We are committed to this in whatever way we can be and I believe this should be a call to all athletes who are on our roster: 'You will be tested, in and out of competition and if you have been using PEDs you will be caught and there will be significant punishments'”, commented Fertitta.

Finally, the organization revealed that in 2013 and 2014 it spent around US$500 (R$1,4 million) on anti-doping expenses, a number that, according to statements by the directors, will exceed millions of dollars in 2015 alone.

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