California State Athletic Commission Walks the Talk in Drug Testing Fighters

Another piece of evidence came Wednesday that the MMA community is getting more serious about forcing illegal drugs out of the sport. The California State Athletic Commission drug-tested nearly every fighter competing at UFC Fight Night 71, scheduled to take place July 15 in San Diego.

That's according to a report published Wednesday night by Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting:

"

CSAC to drug test nearly every UFC San Diego fighter out of competition http://t.co/cMMhL5sLSH

— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) July 1, 2015"

CSAC Executive Officer Andy Foster confirmed that the commission had conducted out-of-competition drug testing on every fighter on the card, with the exception of those who live and train in foreign countries, where the commission is not currently authorized to conduct drug screenings. Out-of-competition tests are those which do not occur immediately before a fight is scheduled.

The 13-fight card is headlined by a heavyweight bout between Frank Mir and Todd Duffee. The co-main event will feature a lightweight tilt between Gilbert Melendez and Al Iaquinta.

The CSAC made waves last week on the drug front when it suspended former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko for three years after he tested positive for steroids. It's a stiff penalty, and Shlemenko has indicated that he wants to file suit against the commission to have the suspension overturned.

The UFC itself also has made big strides recently in this area. In fact, its own out-of-competition drug-testing policy takes effect Wednesday. The program, which will be conducted in partnership with the United States Anti-Doping Agency, carries much more rigorous testing requirements and punishments for test failures.

Drugs, including those of the performance-enhancing variety, have dogged MMA and hindered its advancement essentially since the sport's inception. Earlier this year, however, that long-simmering problem may have come to a head when Anderson Silva—arguably the greatest MMA fighter of all time—tested positive for the steroid drostanolone. 

Silva, who denies using PEDs, said he will fight the suspension. His formal hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission has been postponed multiple times. 

Silva defeated Nick Diaz by decision in the main event of UFC 183, the event at which Silva tested positive. It turns out that Diaz also failed a drug test at the event, testing positive for marijuana for the third time in his career.

In January, prior to his light heavyweight title defense at UFC 182, champ Jon Jones tested positive for cocaine.