UFC Anti-Doping Program

UFC Anti-Doping Program logo.

Search Medications & Ingredients

Not a UFC Athlete? Click Here to visit USADA.org

Athlete Login >

Medication Search>

Testing

Understanding the Testing Process

Testing is an important part of any effective anti-doping program, and the area that most often comes to mind when thinking about anti-doping. From test planning and collection of a urine or blood sample, through the results managements process, USADA provides a thorough program, with policies and procedures in accordance with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.

Any UFC athlete may be subject to urine and/or blood collection(s) both in- and out-of-competition. Athletes may also be subject to additional testing by Athletic Commissions or other Anti-Doping Organizations not governed by the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.

sample collection

Sample collection is one of the most important aspects of USADA’s testing efforts.

LEARN MORE
Athlete pouring urine into a collection container.
URINE COLLECTION PROCESS
Male athlete getting a blood draw from a female blood collection officer.
BLOOD COLLECTION PROCESS

whereabouts

Whereabouts is information that allows an athlete to be located for out-of-competition testing. Athletes can be tested 365 days a year without advance notice. Athletes are required to inform USADA of their daily regular schedule and must report any changes.

LEARN MORE

THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTIONS

In some situations, an athlete may have an illnesses or condition that requires the use of medication listed on the UFC Prohibited List. USADA can grant a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in these situations in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency International Standard for TUEs. The TUE application process is thorough and designed to balance the need to provide athletes access to critical medication while protecting the rights of clean athletes to complete on a level playing field.

LEARN MORE

Results
Management

USADA is responsible for the results management process for UFC athletes, which includes informing athletes of the results of their drug tests and managing any potential anti-doping policy violations in accordance with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.

In this section learn more about: protecting athlete’s rights, arbitration decisions, UFC testing numbers, adjudication process, UFC sanctions list, and individual athlete test history.

LEARN MORE

Important Testing Documents

UFC Anti-Doping Policy cover image.

UFC Anti-Doping Policy

The core document outlining anti-doping rules, policies, and procedures for UFC athletes.

UFC Whereabouts Policy cover image.

UFC Whereabouts Policy

The UFC Whereabouts Policy offers guidelines for submitting whereabouts information as well as the consequences of whereabouts failures.

UFC TUE Policy cover image.

UFC TUE Policy

This policy explains the process for the submission and approval of TUEs.

UFC Arbitration Rules cover image.

UFC Arbitration Rules

The UFC Arbitration Rules outline the steps taken to investigate anti-doping policy violations.

Test distribution planning

Click on the question to drop down the answer.

The UFC Anti-Doping Policy applies to UFC and its officials, employees and independent contractors, and each participant in a UFC Bout. It also applies to the following: Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel, and other Persons, each of whom is deemed, as a condition of his/her contract with UFC, license with any Athletic Commission, accreditation and/or participation in a UFC Bout or by the preparation of Athletes for participation in any UFC Bout, to have agreed to be bound by this Anti-Doping Policy, and to have submitted to the authority of UFC and USADA to enforce this Anti-Doping Policy and to have submitted to the jurisdiction of the hearing panel specified in Article 8 to hear and determine cases brought under this Anti-Doping Policy. More specifically, this Anti-Doping Policy shall apply to:

  1. All Athletes under contract with UFC from the date of their first contract until the earlier of the termination of their contract with UFC or such time as they give notice to UFC in writing of their retirement from competition; and
  2. All Athlete Support Personnel who: participate in any UFC Bout in any capacity, including without limitation as a manager, coach, trainer, second, corner man, agent, official, medical or paramedical personnel, or who have been identified by an Athlete to UFC or USADA as an Athlete Support Person.

Any Athlete, Athlete Support Personnel, or other Person who commits an Anti-Doping Policy Violation while subject to this Policy shall remain subject to this Policy for purposes of results management and discipline after the relationship which originally gave rise to UFC’s or USADA’s authority has ceased.

When developing a test distribution plan, a plan for efficient, effective, and intelligent allocation of testing resources, USADA considers the following standards, at a minimum:

  • Available doping analysis statistics;
  • Available research on doping trends;
  • Training periods and the competition calendar; and
  • Information received on possible doping practices.

Resources aimed at the detection of doping may be specifically targeted. USADA retains the right to test any athlete at any time.

Any athlete competing in a UFC Bout may be subject to testing for all prohibited substances and methods, including those that are prohibited only in-competition. “In-competition” is defined as the period commencing at noon on the day prior to the Fight Card on which a Bout is contested and ending upon the completion of the post-Bout sample of specimen collection.

USADA’s test distribution plan is designed to maximize both deterrence and the detection of the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport. Tests are allocated among the athletes in the UFC Registered Testing Pool at times when out-of-competition testing is most effective, and in accordance with the selection criteria.

USADA retains the right to test athletes at any time and location.

A Registered Testing Pool (RTP) is a pool of top-level athletes who are subject to both in- and out-of-competition testing as part of a test distribution plan and must provide whereabouts information. The UFC RTP is updated regularly and athletes are chosen in accordance with the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. USADA notifies all athletes of their inclusion in the RTP. Once notified, it becomes the responsibility of the athlete to file their whereabouts with USADA by the quarterly deadlines and provide USADA with updated information specifying their whereabouts.

Learn more about whereabouts filings on the UFC Whereabouts Page.

Scroll to Top