USADA Begins Trial Run for Oral Fluid Testing in UFC Anti-Doping Program

UFC program has started piloting a new collection method (oral fluid). Biggest upside...it potentially will only detect use of in-comp prohibited only substances (like marijuana/thc) within hours of use...not what athlete did a week or month ago. https://t.co/DHV6Ds6fiC

— Jeff Novitzky (@JeffNovitzkyUFC) January 4, 2020

USADA has recently introduced oral fluid testing on a trial basis for both in and out-of-competition testing as part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s anti-doping program.

According to UFC senior vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky, the method will detect substances that are prohibited on an in-competition basis only — such as marijuana and THC — within a few hours of use instead of flagging athletes who may have used out of competition weeks or months prior to a fight.

According to a release, “a major benefit of oral fluid testing is that it has the potential to detect in-competition prohibited substances, such as stimulants or cannabinoids, very close to their use and/or exposure. Accordingly, this may minimize the potential scenario where a substance prohibited in-competition only, that was used out-of-competition, would be detected during an in-competition test.”

If the oral fluid testing proves to be effective, it could be use to complement urine and blood testing. During the trial period, athletes could be subject to multiple collection methods during testing to include the new method.

The oral samples will be analyzed at a WADA-accredited laboratory and will be refrigerated for a short-term storage period lasting two to four weeks. The samples can also be frozen for long-term storage.

According to USADA, samples will be collected in an “accurate, reliable and convenient” device.” Approximately 1 mL of oral fluid will be taken in a process that lasts about three and a half minutes.

A timeframe for the length of the pilot program was not given. The full statement, which was released on Dec. 12, as well as FAQs regarding the program can be viewed here.