Former U.S. government anti-doping expert hired by UFC

The UFC announced the hiring of Jeff Novitzky to assist in its ‘clean initiative education” program.  Novitzky joins the organization as Vice Presidetn of Athlete Health and Performance.

Per the announcement, Novitzky will spearhead the development of the organization’s clean initiative education program.

Novitzky was an agent for the Food and Drug Administration investigation the use of steroids in professional sports.  Prior to that, he was a special agent for the IRS investigating the use of steroids for over five years.  He was a part of an investigation into the use of PEDs by Lance Armstrong while competing in the Tour de France.  He was also a part of the Mitchell Report which addressed the issues of doping in Major League Baseball.  Notably, he was part of the Barry Bonds/BALCO investigation.

He has been criticized by opposition that he is biased and unfair although others consider him a credible government witness.

Via UFC.com:

As part of its broader athlete health program, which includes the Athlete Accident Insurance Plan implemented in 2011, UFC announced in February the development of an expanded drug-testing program that will increase out-of-competition testing and pledged significant financial commitments for targeted testing protocols. Novitzky will play a leading role in the creation and implementation of the program, scheduled to be unveiled in July 2015.

Payout Perspective:

The announcement comes on the heels of Lorenzo Fertitta’s comments about the new UFC drug policy in the latest Sports Business Journal.  The hiring adds credibility to the UFC’s new policy.  We will see how the UFC uses Novitzky and how involved he is in the new UFC drug policy later this year.