Georges St-Pierre Supports UFC's Ban on IV Rehydration

Georges St-Pierre may not be fighting these days, but he's certainly staying current with the sport.

The former UFC welterweight champion regularly weighs in on the issues of the day in MMA, from drug testing to the latest matchups in the cage. Known for his meticulous training and preparation, GSP still seems to have his analytical magnifying glass fixed on MMA, despite stepping away from competition in November 2013.

St-Pierre recently offered his thoughts on a controversial new measure put forth by the United States Anti-Doping Agency—the UFC's new partner in drug testing and related initiatives—that would ban the use of IVs outside of a medical necessity. Many fighters use IVs to help rehydrate after big weight cuts, but USADA officials instituted the ban, scheduled to take effect in October, because the IVs can contribute to unhealthy amounts of weight-cutting and can be a conduit for performance-enhancing substances.

Some fighters, including current UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo, decried the move. But in a recent interview with Denmark-based GnP TV (h/t David St. Martin of MMA Fighting), St-Pierre said the ban will ultimately benefit the sport and its athletes.

"I believe it's a good thing, to tell you the truth", St-Pierre said in the interview. "If it's not your division, stay to your own division. ... You see guys that lose an incredible amount of weight. For my part I used to weigh around 190. I lose 20 pounds, which is relatively small right now for a welterweight. Most guys are over 200 pounds and I always find it fascinating."

St-Pierre acknowledged that there may be some adjustment period, but that the ban will ultimately make the sport a truer competition of skill by helping to eliminate the "technology" that can provide fighters with an unfair advantage:

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The more you allow technology to play out on the result of a sporting event, the more you take away the real talent, the real skill question. That's why I believe [the IV ban] is a good thing. I think it should be illegal. It's a new rule. Everybody would have to adapt, but I think everybody can adapt if they do it well. And also, the IV thing, the reason why I think it should be banned is because sometimes IVs could be used to mask certain performance-enhancing drugs. It's good. I think it's a good thing. 

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