10 Ways UFC Has Grown In The Last 10 Years
5. USADA
The difference between some fighters appearances pre UFC's United States Doping Agency deal are as alarming as they are hilarious now that we are fully submerged in the era of USADA.
Starting in July 2015, USADA would test each fighter (on average) five times per year. They would conduct at least 2,750 drug tests a year and the consequences of failing a test would be severe - if you tested positive for steroids three times you could be facing nearly a decade long ban.
When the deal was struck, the likes of Vitor Belfort were forced to change certain.. .erm... aspects of their regime and the physical difference seen in these fighters was quite astounding as soon as the random drug searches were implemented.
Failed tests would now even result in a champion relinquishing their belt, losing their official UFC ranking and their record (if coming after a fight) would show the bout's result switched to a DQ loss for the sentenced individual.
With the new partnership in place, doping in UFC has seen a marked drop. Fight purses are taken away and sizeable bans/fines are enough to deter even the wiliest cheat.
By handing full drug testing control over to USADA, Dana White has managed to both clean up his company and focus more time making match-ups, whilst USADA crack the whip on those despicable cheats.