Here’s how much control the UFC actually has over drug testing exemptions

[GSPTrainingInAPool]

A few recent situations have raised questions about the UFC anti-doping policy as it relates to fighters having to undergo a period of testing before competing in the promotion. I spoke to various sources at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to better understand how the anti-doping policy works in practice and find out who actually makes the decisions around exempting certain athletes from the pool.

While USADA and the UFC publicly state that USADA has sole authority over anti-doping matters, in reality section 5.7 of the UFC’s anti-doping policy (ADP) gives the UFC final say on very specific things, such as whether or not new or returning athletes can skip the testing pool.

The exception to this is where athletes have a previous anti-doping violation or admit to previous use of certain substances. In that instance, USADA alone makes the decision and athletes can only get an exemption if they qualified for a TUE at the time, or USADA rules that they qualify for one for that substance now.

Here’s how much control the UFC actually has over drug testing exemptions

 

[crowbar]

So,they did let Brock slide.

 

[Enock-O-Lypse Now!]

 

[tang]

^was talking about this with a friend the other day.

GSP looks like shit right now with a dad bod. 3 and a half years gone, he had to completely cycle off cuz of USADA or he did shit ton of HGH so he can come back without PED.

I'm leaning toward HGH, his hormone level became so abnormal that he starts to see shit like Aliens.

 

[Ghost Bro]

So this whole new UFC gym is rather convenient isn't it?
Danus even pointed out they hand them supplements paid for by the UFC.

So then...if some particular star needed a certain boost. Would USADA (who work FOR the UFC) barge into the office? If the UFC were to have provided a "tainted supplement", does anybody really think it would get out?

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

^was talking about this with a friend the other day.

GSP looks like shit right now with a dad bod. 3 and a half years gone, he had to completely cycle off cuz of USADA or he did shit ton of HGH so he can come back without PED.

I'm leaning toward HGH, his hormone level became so abnormal that he starts to see shit like Aliens.

We'll omit for a second that GSP underwent WADA/VADA testing while he was in the UFC last time around. USADA can test for HGH. GSP also doesn't have the tell tale of HGH. I have no illusions about whether or not UFC fighters are using, but he's mardly the guy to point a finger at.

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

Here’s how much control the UFC actually has over drug testing exemptions

by Iain Kidd @iainkidd Oct 13, 2017

A few recent situations have raised questions about the UFC anti-doping policy as it relates to fighters having to undergo a period of testing before competing in the promotion. I spoke to various sources at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to better understand how the anti-doping policy works in practice and find out who actually makes the decisions around exempting certain athletes from the pool.

While USADA and the UFC publicly state that USADA has sole authority over anti-doping matters, in reality section 5.7 of the UFC’s anti-doping policy (ADP) gives the UFC final say on very specific things, such as whether or not new or returning athletes can skip the testing pool.

The exception to this is where athletes have a previous anti-doping violation or admit to previous use of certain substances. In that instance, USADA alone makes the decision and athletes can only get an exemption if they qualified for a TUE at the time, or USADA rules that they qualify for one for that substance now.

Are there honestly people on this planet that think there are pro athletes who aren't using PED's?

 

[GSPTrainingInAPool]

Are there honestly people on this planet that think there are pro athletes who aren't using PED's?

I'd say it's alllllllll the way down. Highschool for sure. Wouldn't be surprised if there are some studs juicing in grade 7/8

 

[Robbie Hart]

Protecting British interests?

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

I'd say it's alllllllll the way down. Highschool for sure. Wouldn't be surprised if there are some studs juicing in grade 7/8

I definitely knew high level athletes in high school who were juicing in hopes of making the big time.

 

[Wild]

So this whole new UFC gym is rather convenient isn't it?
Danus even pointed out they hand them supplements paid for by the UFC.

So then...if some particular star needed a certain boost. Would USADA (who work FOR the UFC) barge into the office? If the UFC were to have provided a "tainted supplement", does anybody really think it would get out?

Interesting thought. What would happen if a fighter that only trained at the UFC Performance Institute, and only took UFC supplied supplements, popped hot?

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

Interesting thought. What would happen if a fighter that only trained at the UFC Performance Institute, and only took UFC supplied supplements, popped hot?

I can't see any reason it would be any different than for any other fighter. People seem to forget that USADA suspensions don't actually mean anything.

 

[Rambo John J]

Are there honestly people on this planet that think there are pro athletes who aren't using PED's?

I do think some are natural...very rare though...even in the NFL

 

[Wild]

I can't see any reason it would be any different than for any other fighter. People seem to forget that USADA suspensions don't actually mean anything.

They mean something to Jon Jones and Jesse Taylor right now.

 

[Lukewarm Carl]

Interesting thought. What would happen if a fighter that only trained at the UFC Performance Institute, and only took UFC supplied supplements, popped hot?

That would be hilarious and I kind of want to see it happen now.

 

[Ryann Von Doom]

Interesting thought. What would happen if a fighter that only trained at the UFC Performance Institute, and only took UFC supplied supplements, popped hot?

See an epic implosion and we'd have the regionals, bellator and Japan.. that's it.

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

They mean something to Jon Jones and Jesse Taylor right now.

Because the UFC has chosen to accept and enforce their recommendations. For all we know other guys have pissed hot and it's been swept under the rug.

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

I do think some are natural...very rare though...even in the NFL

I'm sure there are a few anomalies, but by in large part people are cheating. Particularly at the top level.

 

[Ghost Bro]

Interesting thought. What would happen if a fighter that only trained at the UFC Performance Institute, and only took UFC supplied supplements, popped hot?

Fucked up innit?
either they test them and they don't release it, enabling the UFC essentially to run a lab the likes of Ivan Drago, including the steroids. With emphasis on the steroids. All with the pretence of a level playing field
or they don't test them, because the UFC doesn't deem it necessary or some shit...then that's a major conflict of interest.

You'd think with so many MMA media, there'd be a bit more discussion on what purpose this gym serves exactly. Which probably leads to what the UFC is exactly

 

[EyeAmYuki]

It's happening at every level. I've seen people who have clearly cycled for a charity amateur boxing match.