The UFC today announced that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) will be responsible to testing fighters on their roster. The USADA test for a variety of combat sports, including IBJJF world and and pan am events Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions.
On May 26, 2015, the USADA announced that 2014 black belt IBJJF world champion Felipe ‘Preguica’ Pena had tested positive for testosterone, and had accepted a suspension for a year. However, bizarrely, the test was administered on June 1, 2014, and thus the suspension was announced just four days before it was to expire.
In a further oddity, the USADA site uses an identifying image to represent each sport, and one of them is not like the others.
Wrestling:
Boxing:
Judo:
Weightlifting:
Bowling:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
It just seems weird that no one there knows the difference between karate and BJJ.
Andre Galvao, who lost to Preguica for the heavyweight title at the 2014 Worlds, expressed outrage that the suspension was not announced in a timely fashion. Galvao argued that it was not reasonable that for the past year Pena marketed himself as the world champion, and that he competed in other events, and that no one knew he was suspended.
Felipe Pena has been disqualified from all competitions he competed in after May 31st, 2014. Why are we just finding out now that he tested positive for banned substances?
When did the IBJJF learn of this? The IBJJF knew about the test. We know that because Felipe wasn’t fighting the IBJJF events since last Worlds. What is the reason of announcing a suspension if it is already over? I know that is to show everyone Felipe lost the title. But what about the other competitors? What about the serious business? What about the example?
The damage is done! Other organizations let Pena compete in their events (likely during the same time he had the substances still in his system). Sponsors gave sponsorships and a year of walking around selling himself as a World Champion occurred.
What is the truth? The truth is holding back this knowledge and not changing the results of the events is disrespectful to the other competitors. Not only would I have been the World Champion last year, but I would have secured enough points to push Team Atos to the top of the podium.
Well let’s see what happen. I just feel very disrespected. I’m just using Felipe here as an example and I’m part of it because I fought him last year. My main concern is why it took so long?
PS: Ibjjf Website Still have him as 1st place even after he get banned by USADA. Just get in the IBJJF webpage and check that out.
At this point Galvao has questions, not answers. However, with the USADA taking over testing for the UFC starting July 1, they are good questions.
The USADA will presumably be working for the UFC, rather than individual government Athletic Commissions. In Jeff Novitzky the UFC has hired Eliot Ness/Clarice Starling/Buford Pusser/Archangel Gabriel; his integrity is beyond question. However, if another promotion secures the services of the USADA, can they, as did the IBJJF, withhold information from the public about a positive test? Could that fighter then compete for another organization, without anyone being the wiser? Again, these are not accusations or answers, just reasonable questions.
