Brazilian fighters react to new UFC drug testing program

RIO DE JANEIRO -- The UFC started a new UFC drug testing program on July 1, and all fighters are now subject to random, in- and out-of-competition blood and urine testing.

ABCD, the Brazilian Agency of Doping Control, will work with USADA and test fighters in Brazil, and UFC general manager in the country, Giovani Decker, believes the enhanced program gives more credibility to the sport, especially after Anderson Silva’s failed test in January.

"I think it’s wonderful," Decker said of the new drug testing program during the UFC 190 media day in Rio de Janeiro. "The UFC will give the Brazilian lab all the support they need, but it’s an independent lab with independent testing. Doping is an issue in every sport, and the UFC is trying to bring solutions to clean the sport. It’s a global program, and we’re bringing the biggest expert in this matter (Jeff Novitzky). We’re on the right way."

During the media day, Brazilian fighters weighed on the future of the sport with enhanced drug testing, wondering if it will affect the performance of some fighters.

"It’s simple," middleweight contender Ronaldo Souza said. "Now we will see who has health and who buys health."

Light heavyweights Mauricio Rua and Rafael Cavalcante, who face Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Patrick Cummins at UFC 190 on Aug. 1, respectively, believe unannounced drug testing will affect the performance of fighters who used to take illegal substances knowing that they would only be tested on fight night.

"I believe it will affect," "Shogun" said. "It’s perfect that the UFC is investing on this. I think it should be banned for everybody. Some fighters are addicted to it because it messes with your body and your head too."

"If the fighter tests positive, he shouldn’t be allowed to fight," Cavalcante agreed. "Now that they are testing everyone, all fighters will be on the same level. There won’t be that difference in the performance of fighters who were on the juice. But I believe the majority of the fighters already stopped using it. Everyone is going down. Anderson Silva’s case showed that they won’t smooth things over."

Longtime MMA veteran Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, a former PRIDE and UFC heavyweight champion, also believes that fighters stopped using performance enhancing drugs, and praises UFC’s decision to adopt a year-round drug testing program.

"The UFC did meetings in Las Vegas about this, explaining that there will be random tests like in the Olympics," said "Minotauro", who takes on Stefan Struve next at UFC 190. "You have to tell the commission if you’re going to travel, where you’re going, and the commission will always be around. The athlete has the obligation to stay in shape without doping."

Scheduled to welcome former WSOF champion Jessica Aguilar to the UFC on Aug. 1, Claudia Gadelha feels safer knowing that her opponents will be drug tested frequently.

"Fighters who were clean will continue with the same performance, but I believe it will affect the game of the girls that were super juiced, using drugs all the time," Gadelha said. "I think the UFC did the right thing. It feels safe knowing that you are entering the Octagon and looking to the person in front of you and knowing that he’s clean like you."