As of the moment, the UFC is lacking a drug-testing program that other major sports organizations in the United States offer in their respective division.
The UFC has recently launched a new MMA anti-doping policy in order to make sure that the fighters are all playing a fair ground inside the octagon. This policy took effect last July 1, however, it does not mention any specific treatments programs, or even any medical assistance, for those who want to actually get some medical help for their substance abuse problems. Other sports organizations such as the NFL, NHL, MLB, and even the NBA all have some type of programs that deal with substances abuse like opiates, marijuana, amphetamines, and even cocaine.
The USADA, also known as the United States Anti-Doping Agency, has partnered up with the UFC in order to make the new anti-doping policy happen. With this agreement, the USADA is allowed do tests for substance abuse among the MMA fighters, but for a specific period of time only. The tests should only be done during the competition, which the policy describes as six hours before the scheduled weigh-in and six hours after the fight has finished.
Sanctions from the UFC will be served to those fighters will test positive for the use of substance abuse. Jeff Novitzky, the UFC Vice President of the Athlete Health and Performance, refer to these substances as “recreational drugs”.
The sanctions given to the fighters depend on how many times they tested positive on the tests done. For those who failed the drug tests for the first time, they will be given a suspension of one year with a possible extension of two years, depending on the aggravating factors like intent, multiple substances, previous drug failures, conspiracy with others, and other several factors. When the fighter fails the drug test for the second time, the sanctions given to them the first time around will be doubled. As for third time offenders, the sanctions given on the second offense will be doubled as well. However, these sanctions are only applicable in the UFC; the sanctions given to the offenders in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL are different.
In a recent interview, Novitzky admitted that the UFC does not have any mandatory treatment programs for those who want to seek medical attention regarding their substance abuse. “We don’t have, at the present time, any mandatory treatment program. But 100 percent, any athlete that tests positive for these types of recreational drugs, we will do everything to provide the option to provide those resources for our athletes,” he said.
For those MMA fighters who failed the drug tests, they might be enticed to consider undergoing a treatment because of the amazing incentive that comes with it- a possible shorter suspension.
Novitzky said that there is a possibility that the fighters concerned will have a shorter sanction depending on the provisions noted. “Examples (include) acceptance of responsibility, cooperation (and) completion of a rehab program. Sanctions for these substances can be reduced as far as a reprimand with no period of ineligibility,” he said.
With all these new policies and sanctions being carried out, Novitzky clarified that the UFC has no business catching those fighters who are taking recreational drugs outside the competition. But instead, their only concern are those who are scheduled to participate in the bouts.