UFC gives Itself a Black Eye

UFC gives Itself a Black Eye

By Johnny Benz (April 27, 2007) Doghouse Boxing

According to recent published reports in the Media, UFC 69 held April 7 in Houston, surprisingly not one of the 18 athletes fighting on the card that night had to undergo a pre- or post-fight drug test.

According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, drug testing at UFC 69 was the responsibility of the "sanctioning body" of the event. The UFC basically was the sanctioning organization for the event and reportedly the UFC did not test it's Athletes. As reported by the Media, no fighter on the

UFC 69 card was tested for performance-enhancing or recreational drugs.

"We have the authority to order drug testing, but did not for that event," said a TDLR spokesperson, who was quoted by the Houston Chronicle. The spokesperson added: "Our rules didn't anticipate a structure like this (where there is no sanctioning body for an event)."

The Houston Chronicle contacted Marc Ratner. Ratner who use to head the Nevada States Athletic Commision, but now represents the UFC, was quoted on the subject, saying: "It was my understanding that they were testing the main event," Ratner added: "I think maybe there was some confusion. Maybe they felt we were the sanctioning body and promoter all in one. When we went in there, we went strictly as the promoter. We can't be judge and jury. We would have no authority to discipline the fighters."

The Houston Chronicle further reports that Fighters at UFC 70 were not tested either.

"We were ordering tests, but found we had no legal means to do it," said Ratner. "They had no commission there. There was no drug testing there."

Ratner's comments maybe hard to swallow for many. When Ratner headed the Nevada State Athletics Commision, he handed out plenty of suspensions to boxers who tested positive for a banned substance, including Fernando Vargas who tested positive for a banned substance after his fight with Oscar De La Hoya. If anyone should know how to care about a fighter's health and well being, one would assume Ratner would.