Stung by a "series of drug-test failures by some of its most high-profile athletes," UFC management yesterday "announced a commitment of millions of dollars per year to combat performance-enhancing drug use by its fighters," according to Kevin Iole of YAHOO SPORTS. UFC co-Chair & CEO Lorenzo Fertitta "announced an ambitious plan that will conduct more random unannounced tests on fighters." Fertitta also "voiced support for a stiffer penalty structure, vowing to back penalties" recommended in the '15 WADA code, which "calls for either a two-year or four-year period of ineligibility." Fighters who "have been caught cheating, as well as the angry reaction from the media and fans, forced management's action." Fertitta said that the "eye-opener that sped up the process" was when fighter Anderson Silva failed a second drug test and was suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Fertitta "couldn't say exactly how much was being contributed to the program." He said that he "was prevented by a confidentiality agreement from saying which agency the UFC will work with to implement the testing." Fertitta noted that UFC "spent $500,000 on drug testing in both 2013 and 2014, but was prepared to increase it more than tenfold to rid the sport" of PEDs. Iole wrote removing PEDs is an "enormous task and one that is likely to cause much pain, as some of the sport's biggest names could wind up being banned for four years" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/18).
TAKE THE HIT: MMA JUNKIE's Erickson & Marrocco noted effective July 1, all UFC fighters -- "approximately 585" -- will be subject to random PED testing. Penalties for failed tests "will continue to be handed down by individual commissions except when the UFC self-regulates its events." UFC President Dana White said that the current penalties "might allow fighters to chance using performance-enhancing drugs knowing the penalty might be six or nine months and a fine, but not getting caught and making millions of dollars is a risk worth taking." Fertitta said that if UFC "loses its big fights because of the enhanced testing, so be it" (
MMAJUNKIE.com, 2/18).
FIRST RULE OF FIGHT CLUB: ESPN.com's Brett Okamoto noted UFC Exec VP & COO Lawrence Epstein "acknowledged the regulatory challenges facing the promotion's proposal, saying it would be a process." Epstein: "There are relatively unsolved legal issues at this point and effective July 1, if we don't have those issues worked out, we're going to have to take the proverbial leap of faith that athletic commissions will stand behind these decisions." Okamoto noted all UFC fighters "will be subjected to urine tests the night of competition." UFC "expects approximately 984 total in-competition tests will be administered to its athletes per year." In addition, approximately 96 fighters "will be subjected to enhanced testing between main events and title fights" (ESPN.com, 2/18). In Las Vegas, Case Keefer notes if UFC "sticks to the guidelines of the presentation, it will have the strictest rules" on PEDs of "any professional sport" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 2/19). FS1's Ariel Helwani called yesterday's announcement a "monumental day" for UFC. Helwani: "This is a very big and important first step in finally cleaning up the sport" ("Fox Sports Live," FS1, 2/19).
FIVE FOR FIGHTING: In Las Vegas, Adam Hill notes the NAC "typically gives out suspensions ranging from six months to one year for first-time offenders." NAC Chair Francisco Aguilar said that a two-year ban "is not out of the realm of possibility." Hill notes any increased penalties adopted by the NAC "would apply to all combat sports licensees in the state, not just UFC fighters." Several fighters yesterday "immediately took to social media to show support for the ramped up efforts to catch cheaters in the sport." Michael Bisping tweeted, “Today is a great day for the sport of mixed martial arts. Excellent work." Benson Henderson tweeted, "Hey kids #DontDoDrugs...even @ufc is saying so finally...I'll be the 1st one in line" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 2/19). Fighter Ronda Rousey said, "One thing I thought that was really lacking before (in the UFC) was random, out-of-competition drug testing for everybody all the time. I thought it was a real shame that I was being tested more stringently at 16 than as a world-champion fighter.” She added, “I’m extremely encouraged by all the steps they’re taking.” Rousey said that she "took it upon herself to tell UFC leadership that improvements are necessary" (L.A. TIMES, 2/19).
