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During a press conference today, the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), teaming with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), announced a new drug testing policy. Effective July 1st, there are new punishments for both out of competition and in competition drug testing, which will be overseen by UFC VP Of Athlete Health & Performance Jeff Novitzky.
There will be a minimum of 2,750 tests per year for the 500-plus UFC fighters and the punishments are quite huge for test failures. Those punishments are…
Specified Substances (Steroids, HGH, Blood Dopers, ETC.)
First Offense: Two Years Minimum Suspension & Two Possible Additional Years For Aggravating Circumstances (Past Failures, Intent, Multiple Substances, ETC.)
Second Offense: Double The First Offenses Time
Third Offense: Double The Second Offenses Time
Non-Specified Substances (Marijuana, Cocaine, ETC.)
First Offense: One Year Minimum & Two Possible Years For Aggravating Circumstances (Past Failures, Intent, Multiple Substances, ETC.)
Second Offense: Double The First Offenses Time
Third Offense: Double The Second Offenses Time
Fighters who have been found to fail a drug test will be subject to title forfeiture, rankings and other financial fines. The UFC, along with the USADA, will also create an anonymous way for fighters to report other fighters who could be using anything illegal at any time. Additionally, the UFC will not have any control over the USADA drug testing procedures and results, they will simply act on what results are given.
