MMA Junkie reports that the California state senate passed a bill that will grant the state athletic commission to withhold 40 percent of a licensed fighter’s pay in the event of a positive drug test. The bill was supported by the UFC which spent $30,000 so far this year in the state of California.
The bill also gives the commission authority to drug test licensed fighters which would lead to out of competition drug testing. The state would pay for the additional drug testing. The bill states that the commission may conduct blood and urine testing.
California follows the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Code as adopted by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The text of the bill can be found here.
Payout Perspective:
The bill is another positive step for the UFC as it looks to strengthen its stance on drug testing. Of course, it spent $30K for lobbyists to aid in passing the bill. The new law also identifies funds earmarked for drug testing which provides transparency in the amount of money the state is committed to the program. We shall see what affect this has on other jurisdictions.
Let us know when it passes the House also