UFC 305: Ensuring Clean Supplements for Top Fighters
Aug 17, 2024
UFC 305: Ensuring Clean Supplements for Top Fighters
As UFC 305 gears up for an explosive event on August 18 in Perth, Western Australia, the spotlight falls on the thrilling bouts. In the background looms a crucial issue for all athletes to consider, the risk of tainted supplements that may have hidden banned substances in them. The importance of third-party certified supplements can’t be overstated for athletes, first responders, military service members, or any drug tested professionals. An adulterated supplement can instantly sideline a career. With high-stakes grudge matches on the horizon, including the middleweight title clash between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, addressing the persistent problem of tainted supplements in mixed martial arts (MMA) is vital. The UFC has taken a unique approach by approving third-party certification providers like BSCG, and the supplements that participate in programs like our Certified Drug Free program.
The Hidden Threat of Contaminated Supplements and the Need for Batch Testing
The MMA community has repeatedly faced challenges with athletes testing positive for banned substances often attributing the results to tainted supplements. While this defense might sound like a convenient excuse, in many cases, it holds true. UFC welterweight Daniel Rodriguez is a prime example. In July 2023, he tested positive for ostarine and LGD-4033. Rodriguez's suspension was reduced after it was proven that his positive test was due to a contaminated supplement that reportedly was on the UFC approved list. It was not from one of our certified products. Perhaps it was from an uncertified lot from elsewhere? Rodriguez’s case highlights the critical need for third-party certification for banned substances and the need to verify that the batch or lot number you are using has been tested. In the BSCG Certified Drug Free program we require every batch to be tested as we know athletes' careers and reputations are at constant risk otherwise. Not all third-party certification providers test every lot.
Other Notable Cases in the UFC
The issue of tainted supplements isn't new to the UFC. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, another welterweight fighter, faced a one-year suspension in 2022 after testing positive for ostarine. Despite claims that the positive test resulted from a contaminated supplement, and test results that he claimed proved it, the pharmacy that made the supplements denied any wrongdoing, leaving Zaleski dos Santos to face the consequences. This case, along with many others, underscores the ongoing need for third-party certification as we continue the battle against contaminated supplements in the UFC and elsewhere.
The Role of BSCG in Ensuring Clean Sport
These incidents highlight the crucial role of organizations like Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG) in maintaining the integrity of sports and protecting athletes, and others by ensuring the quality of supplements and other consumer products. Founded by anti-doping legend Dr. Don Catlin, along with his son Oliver Catlin and attorney Ryan Connolly, BSCG brings the Olympic standard in drug testing to third-party certification. By testing supplements for more than 500 banned substances, BSCG provides industry leading protection against banned substance contamination. Rest assured if you take a BSCG Certified Drug Free supplement you are using some of the cleanest and highest quality products on the market.
UFC 305 and the Importance of Clean Supplements
With UFC 305 approaching, the emphasis on clean supplements is more important than ever. Fighters like Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya rely on rigorous training and safe nutrition to achieve peak performance. The standards set by BSCG and similar organizations protect these athletes, and a host of other first responders, military service members, and concerned citizens, from using products that have hidden banned substances that can lead to unintentional doping violations. Don’t play a guessing game with the products you use. Make sure your supplements are third-party certified, like the UFC does.
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