...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
What's your reaction to the new drug testing plan the UFC says they'll be rolling out on July 1 for the entire roster? What are the biggest positives and what are the biggest concerns with it right now?
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Like everything with the UFC, my reaction is extreme distrust and skepticism.
At what point do these independent contractors revolt and demand to be treated as employees? A two or four year ban on someone making $10,000 per fight, minus training expenses and taxes of course, is a career ender. In baseball, the first penalty is 1/3 of the season; in football it's 1/4 of the season. Not to mention the uniforms, health insurance, exclusive contracts with recreational activity restrictions, et. al. The NLRB would have a field day with this.
What is the appeals process going to be like? As Cung Le's situation showed, s*** does in fact happen.
What if a fighter pops on a commission-run test? If a commission suspends a fighter for, say, nine months, will the UFC extend the ban to two-to-four years? If so, will the commissions honor the UFC's suspension terms? Will the commissions honor UFC-issued suspensions for tests that aren't performed by the commissions?
What if a fighter suspended by the UFC has the term of his contract run out, and the fighter then signs with another promotion? Is there any legal standing for the UFC to prevent him from MAKING A DAMN LIVING?
Who says that the current UFC contracts under which fighters are currently bound allow for the UFC to impose suspensions all willy-nilly?
So, do I feel good about this? F*** no, I don't. This is another arrogant power trip by a thin-skinned, arrogant, power-mad promotion that wants to have their cake (Lorenzo's arms, how'd they get so big?) and inject it too.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
My initial reaction is that the UFC is taking this more seriously than I thought they might. Talking about multi-year bans is sending a strong message. That's the biggest deterrent right there. Suspending a guy for six months, or nine months, or even a year, isn't all that tough. The full year is strong, but the six and nine month suspensions amount to missing one fight. It's like suspending a MLB pitcher nine games, while they essentially only miss one start. If you suspend a guy for two years, you blow him up and leave him to pick up the pieces of his career. More than that and you might as well look for a different job.
My biggest concern is marijuana usage and what's going to be the overall appeals process. I'm of the mindset that marijuana should be completely legal in the entire country, but there's other factors at play, like the fact that there are states in the U.S. where it is completely legal. How does that get handled? And for the appeals, who oversees them? How long will it take? Will the person or group be independent? There's still a lot of questions, but this is already the story of the year in MMA.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Well my biggest concern is that they won't keep with it. We already know the disciplinary actions will be swift and brutal, but will they make sure to keep it legit and open? We all have to know what they're doing and what the results are so we can factually tell that they are keeping it honest. The biggest positive is: holy crap we have drug testing! Maybe this will bring back GSP, maybe we won't get crappy fighters doing worse drugs and winning fights. This is a great start, and I'd like to see others begin similar programs.
KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
My immediate reaction was FINALLY!!! The UFC is saying all the right things about this, but actions speak louder than words, so I'm not sure I buy all their claims and promises. At last not until I see them implemented.
TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
It's been a long time coming, but finally the UFC are taking the right measures to eradicate PEDs within their promotion.
The only downside I can see is if the introduction isn't being rolled out until July, it'll give the fighters who are cheating at present the time to flush out whatever is in their bodies, and will be clean come that time.
This is a massive step in the right direction for the sport, and if it's implemented correctly, it can only be a good sign. Cheating will always go on no matter what sport, though if the UFC can deter fighters with these tests and lengthly bans being given for all offenders, failing drug tests might become a thing of the past rather than the norm.
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST
I don't really see any positives right now because the UFC don't have a track record in moral courage and integrity. This rushed press conference only came about because their biggest star got caught cheating. If another Brian Ortega or Ashlee Evans-Smith had been caught, we wouldn't be talking about it. After all, it wasn't that long ago Dana White even dismissed the idea, saying they had no business regulating themselves and handing out punishments to fighters who are caught red handed. Clearly they didn't want to spend any money on solving this problem, but now they don't have a choice. All eyes are on them to lead the way.
First and foremost, they need to engage the services of a world governing body that will oversee all testing outside of the United States. This would include clamping down on the lax testing done in Brazil, and also handing over regulatory power in countries like China where the UFC self-regulate. Whether it's WADA, IOC, or someone like FIFA, I don't really care, but they need to partner with an organisation that is legit and has a history in this field of expertise. At the very least they should be knocking on their door asking for council. Maybe then after contract renegotiation, they can impose the talked about and much needed two-to-four year style punishments. If I have to take away one positive from the press conference, that's it.
The current plan moving forward lacks conviction, and it was clearly rushed to get the message out. I am, however, stupid enough to give them the benefit of doubt in the hope they follow this through no matter how much it costs. It's a monumental task, but one that needs to be done right before the sport and their brand is ruined indefinitely. I can live with the recreational drug use of fighters - we see it in other sports like football all the time - but frequent PED failures are making me question whether or not I want to remain a part of this great sport. I'm sure others feel the same, and some may have already given up.
DON'T GO YET... WE SUGGEST THESE MMATORCH ARTICLES, TOO!
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
Interested in joining MMATorch's writing team? Send idea for a theme to your column (for Specialist section) or area of interest (i.e. TV Reporter) along with a sample of writing to mmatorch@gmail.com.
