After a
rash of drug test failures during the first portion of its
regular season, Professional Fighters League has partnered with
USADA to run its anti-doping program.
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ESPN obtained an email from PFL president of fighter operations
Ray
Sefo to fighters and their teams formally announcing the
program.
“The program will begin immediately with initial educational
sessions being scheduled with USADA this week for participants in
the upcoming Playoffs,” the email states. “Educational sessions to
explain the program will be scheduled with other fighters
thereafter. It is strongly recommended that each fighter have their
coach, manager, or other key support person join the educational
sessions.”
Additionally, the PFL anti-doping program will be similar to that
of the UFC’s, which also has a partnership with USADA. However,
there will be “minor distinctions to account for the PFL’s sport
season format.”
USADA confirmed the partnership in a statement on its website, which also includes an
informational section about the PFL anti-doping policy.
The announcement comes on the heels of 10 fighters failing drug
tests in relation to the PFL’s first three regular season events
this past April. Defending light heavyweight champ Rob
Wilkinson, 2021 heavyweight winner Bruno
Cappelozza and former UFC title challenger Thiago
Santos were among the notables who were suspended and pulled
from the current PFL campaign.
„This program is part of the PFL’s commitment as a fighter first
organization to supporting a safe, level playing field and
advancing the highest levels of competition and the integrity of
the sport,“ Sefo wrote.