The anticipated press conference on what the UFC plans on doing in regards to the amount of attention the promotion has been receiving on PEDs has came in went. Prior to the conference the UFC announced that welterweight champion Robbie Lawler (25-10) will face Rory MacDonald (18-2) for the second for the title at UFC 189. While this was a fight booking we were all waiting and excited for the focus of the day was on the press conference and what the UFC plans on doing now that the curtain has been brought back.

While many a question was lobed to UFC executives Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta, and Lawrence Epstein about particular athletes and their punishment, the idea was more along the lines of all  585 fighters on the promotion. The UFC outlined a plan to enforce stricter policies on fighters who are caught detailing a huge out of competition PED testing policy that will go into effect July 1st.

This already adds to the busy month for the UFC with international fight week, the Reebok deal taking effect and of course the now two titles fights set for UFC 189. The UFC promises “an even playing field” in the sport and plans on backing that up with multi million dollar commitment to enhance year round in- and out- of competition testing.  In Dana’s words “If you cheat you will get caught!”

More than likely the company will use WADA (World Anti Doping Administration) to conduct the testing similar to what they do for Olympic athletes. Meaning if you are a top fighter attending a high profiled event outside of the sport don’t be surprised if someone shows up asking for a piss test. After the debacle in China the UFC pulled in the reigns on out of competition testing as they did not feel it was being handled effectively.

After the news of iconic fighter Anderson Silva testing positive (twice now) the UFC felt it was time to move the process along faster. Some reporters questioned the validity of the testing with the results appearing post fights and the UFC responded by saying this is not an easy process and something they have been working on for quite a bit. Lorenao Feritta was quoted as saying, “We’ve been working on this for a long time,” Fertitta said. “What the Anderson Silva thing has done is prompted us to speed up the process. We don’t have the luxury to be academic and debate all these legal points. We’re going to make sure fighters are being tested.”

PED use in MMA has been a problem for some time, Fertitta said, and the UFC has been dedicated to making strides in deterring and punishing its fighters over the past year. The company has spent about $500,000 on tests over the course of 2013-14.

Fertitta said that the UFC is committing several million dollars for in- and out-of-competition and random PED testing annually going forward to begin to eradicate PED use from the sport.

“Today marks a continuation of our call-to-action to combat the use of PEDs,” said Fertitta, speaking to a group of worldwide media assembled at Red Rock Resort Casino. "It is our belief that this plan will drive us to make our sport safer by allowing all of our athletes to compete on an even playing field. By doing so, we will not only be a leader in mixed martial arts, but also in the world of professional sports.”

White was also asked if he notified any of the fighters on the policy and he indicated he has. All the fighters including middleweight champion Chris Weidman are all on board and it seems as if the reaction on twitters from other fighters is mutual. Even GSP weighed in on twitter but like most of us were thinking the press conference is well intended but the real question is will they act upon.

Only time will tell but it will at least keep some close eyes on the practices of the promotion to see what they do. We should hear announcement soon on if they plan to use WADA and what third party will help incorporate the suspensions but it’s clearly up to the UFC to help make this happen. Dana called out other combat sports organization to do the same thing as it is in the best interest in everyone.  So until then not much has changed in the UFC other than what UFC women’s bantamweight contender Sarah Kauffman said on her twitter account:

Well one good thing to come out of these positive PED tests,@rory_macdonald finally gets a shot at the welterweight title! #UFC189

— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) February 18, 2015