Random, out-of-competition drug testing has proven to be a recipe for success -- or disaster -- depending on how you look at it in mixed martial arts (MMA).
Case in point, two of the biggest stars of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) have tested positive in their respective out-of-competition drug tests, as light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was flagged for cocaine prior to his bout against Daniel Cormier at UFC 182 last month.
Former middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva was then popped for steroids when his surprise drug test was administered days before stepping into the cage against Nick Diaz at UFC 183.
According to MMA Fighting's conversation with Greg Alvarez, the Texas Combative Sports Program Director, fighters set to compete at UFC 185 on March 14, 2015 in Dallas, Texas, won't be subjected to such testing.
"Nobody has ever brought it up. If it gets brought up at our medical board, then it would get put on the agenda and we would talk about it. When we test, we test whether it's going to affect their ability that day in that fight. The way it's set up here in Texas, we don't do that pre-testing beforehand. Just the day of."
That testing is paid for by the sanctioning body in Texas.
Meanwhile, all of the out-of-competition testing done in Las Vegas and California is paid for by UFC. According to NSAC chief Bob Bennett, the fact that the ZUFFA-owned company is funding the fight against performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) is a true testament to its desire to weed out the cheaters.
From his conversation with CTV News:
"I will tell you that the UFC has aggressively gone after their own fighters that are using performance-enhancing drugs. The UFC has provided the financial means for us to do this out-of-competition testing ... Not only does the UFC pay for us to do it, then they lose some of their top fighters that we catch. So I think it's a real credit to the UFC that they're trying to level the playing field or level the Octagon."
According to Alvarez, no one from UFC has approached him about the topic. Then again, the bill would likely run high for UFC if the promotion funded testing for every single state and country it visited.
Baby steps, people.
UFC 185 will feature a lightweight title bout as Anthony Pettis attempts to defend his strap against Rafael dos Anjos. In the co-main event, Carla Esparza defends her strawweight title for the first time against Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Meanwhile, Johny Hendricks will take on Matt Brown and Roy Nelson meets Alistair Overeem in a heavyweight tilt.
For more on that fight card click here.