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UFC fighter Dan Hooker recently accused UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev of illegally using IV therapy after the weigh-ins for UFC 284.
While Makhachev’s team has denied the fighter used IV therapy illegally, it hasn’t stopped the UFC from sending a reminder to their fighters about the USADA rules regarding IV usage.
MMA Junkie obtained a copy of the reminder sent out by the UFC:
In light of recent discussions on the UFC Anti-Doping Program (UFC ADP) IV rules, below is a reminder of the rule as it has stood since the end of 2019. This rule, along with the entire UFC ADP, has been publicly posted since that time at ufc.usada.org. Additionally, multiple advisories on the IV rule have been emailed to UFC athletes, managers and support. Lastly, USADA advises all new UFC athletes on the UFC-ADP IV rule when they join the UFC Registered Testing Pool (UFC RTP).
The following IVs are now permitted without a TUE:
Those received in the course of hospital treatments, surgical procedures, clinical diagnostic investigations;
Those received by a licensed medical professional after a licensed physician determines that they are medically justified;
IVs of less than a total of 100 mL per 12-hour period;
Separate of the UFC Anti-Doping Program rules, athletic commissions require any athlete who receives an IV surrounding a fight to (1) obtain permission from the commission before receiving an IV and; (2) disclose use of that IV to the commission after its use. Despite the fact that IV use is now permitted under UFC ADP rules if administered by a “licensed medical professional after a licensed physician determines they are medically justified,” the required disclosure of such use to an athletic commission could jeopardize the licensing of the fight by the commission. Most athletic commissions and their medical staffs will further make a determination if a fighter is medically cleared to compete after IV use. Athletic commission IV rules vary from commission to commission, which is why disclosure of intended and completed IV use to athletic commissions surrounding a fight is required.
The IV rules were put into effect in 2015 and were altered in 2019, but no changes have been made since then.
