Report: No drug testing at UFC 69 and UFC 70

by MMAmania.com on Apr 26, 2007 9:22 AM EDT in UFC News

Steve Seivert over at the Houston Chronicle is reporting that out of the combined 38 fighters on the UFC 69 and UFC 70 cards, not one of them was tested for banned or illegal substances.

That's because in both situations the UFC was responsible as the "sanctioning body" to administer the tests. And, as Seivert points out, "It did not."

Of course, in states such as Nevada and California, the drug testing is performed by the state athletic commissions.

But, apparently in The Lone Star State, that's not the case.

Here's a snip from a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation spokesperson:

"We have the authority to order drug testing, but did not for that event. Our rules didn't anticipate a structure like this (where there is no sanctioning body for an event)."

Doesn't make much sense if you ask me.

Here's what UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Marc Ratner, had to say:

"It was my understanding that they were testing the main event. I think maybe there was some confusion. Maybe they felt we were the sanctioning body and promoter all in one. When we went in there, we went strictly as the promoter. We can't be judge and jury. We would have no authority to discipline the fighters."

There seems to be a lot of finger pointing, with no one wanting to take responsibility for the apparent "oversight."

And a rather large one, considering the positive tests that have been returning lately such as Thiago Alves, Diego Sanchez, Nick Diaz (PRIDE FC) and Stephan Bonnar to name just a few.

Making this situation even more alarming is that not one fighter on the "Nations Collide" card in Manchester, England, wasn't required to submit a urine sample. In short, UFC 69 wasn't just an isolated incident.

Why?

Another snip from Ratner:

"We were ordering tests, but found we had no legal means to do it. They had no commission there. There was no drug testing there."

I'm not even going to try and wrap this up in my own words, because Seivert has already done a fine job.

Here's a mash of his analysis:

"In its current form, drug testing in mixed martial arts doesn't work, and the lack of uniform testing could further undermine a sport that's still outlawed in more than half the states in the U.S. ... The UFC has pushed a lot of right buttons in helping to legitimize mixed martial arts and gain a level of respect for the sport's fighters that was unthinkable just a few years ago. However, the promotion needs to do better with the drug-testing issue before it does more damage to the sport. The major professional sports leagues test their athletes for drugs. Why can't the UFC do the same?"

Amen.

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Comments

huh i was anxious to see is sanchez could stay clean for another event, but i guess i’ll never know.

by irishbeast on Apr 26, 2007 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

And thats why they chose texas.

Its a chance to give all their stars a “BREAK”

I would think the UFC would want to impose it itself. Its not really all that good of an idea to not test, give em a bad image. but then having potheads and roiders turn up every event sucks too.

by Robin on Apr 26, 2007 9:47 AM EDT reply actions

Steroid tests cost about $135 each; narcotics tests are much less expensive. I used to cover high school sports for a newspaper where athletes faced random drug tests. That figure comes from the coaches. The UFC has the responsibility, not to mention the financial ability, to test every fighter at every event. They should also institute random testing of active fighters during training. That will help ensure the safety of the fighters and the credibility of the fights and the organization.

by PW on Apr 26, 2007 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

Hmm this sounds like it could turn into something bad for the UFC is they don’t get their shit straight.

by DiscussUFC.com on Apr 26, 2007 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

UFC wants to be the standard bearer for the industry. They should self regulate and require all fighters to be tested in all fights regardless of which state their in. This is really a no-brainer, it would be another feather in the proveribal cap that Dana could mention at press conferences.

Get with it UFC. Only a uniform standard will keep the fighters clean and help prevent any future scandals. Hell, the fighters should want to be tested (if they’re clean that is).

by Andy on Apr 26, 2007 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

I would think the UFC would randomly test all their guys on contracts. They want to be taken as a real sport, and this is one peice of being the real thing.

by TRavis on Apr 26, 2007 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

no wonder Serra and Gonzaga won…

JUST KIDDING

by Rob on Apr 26, 2007 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

This sounds like what PRIDE used to do.

“Oh yeah…we COULD test for drugs, but we uh.. didn’t.”

Just takes down the credibility by a touch.

by DirtyML on Apr 26, 2007 11:54 AM EDT reply actions

damn, i’d be pissed if i was melvin guillard, if only he fought at 69 instead of the fight night 2 nights before he would have never been tested and never found positive for cocaine, that sucks for him…

by tha spida on Apr 26, 2007 12:00 PM EDT reply actions

no wonder Serra and Gonzaga won…

JUST KIDDING

Ha … I knew that was coming …

by UFCmania on Apr 26, 2007 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

huh i was anxious to see is sanchez could stay clean for another event, but i guess i’ll never know.

I’m sure this time around he waitied till after to share the blunt with Koscheck and Diaz…LOL

by Stafo on Apr 26, 2007 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

damn, i’d be pissed if i was melvin guillard, if only he fought at 69 instead of the fight night 2 nights before he would have never been tested and never found positive for cocaine, that sucks for him…

LOL! Ain’t that the truth

by Stafo on Apr 26, 2007 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

I would laugh my ass of if serra testing positive for steriods or something like that, would they yank the title from him?

by nathan on Apr 26, 2007 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

Really smart to “forget” drug tests on the two events with the biggest upsets we’ve been in ages.

@nathan: yes, they would have to. Those fights are usually ruled “no contest” and therfor the title would remain with GSP in the case you mentioned.

For someone who even thinks MMA could make it to the olympic games Dana sure knows how to screw anything up that’d make the sport seem professional and legit. Good job.

by junak on Apr 26, 2007 3:46 PM EDT reply actions