GSP: I believe IV ban is a good thing

Under the new USADA program, beginning in October, UFC fighters will no longer be permitted to rehydrate with an IV post weigh-in. There has been considerable pushback from fighters, but former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre said the ban is the right thing.

“I believe it’s a good thing, to tell you the truth,” said GSP to BE‘s Mark Bergmann for Germany’s GNP1.de. “If it’s not you’re 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.”

“Now it’s not only a question of who’s better and who’s more well prepared, it’s also a question of technology. And 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 it’s 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 IV could be used to mask certain performance-enhancing drugs. So it’s good, I think it’s a good thing.”

If fighters have to switch divisions, it has been discussed that adding to the number of divisions could make the switch less drastic. GSp thought that was a step too far however.

“I’m not sure, I don’t know if they are ready for this,” said St-Pierre. “It will make more belts, more… I know on the business standpoint, it’s a good thing to do. But for me, fighting at 170, for my person, for my body, I wouldn’t mind not using IV. I wouldn’t mind, it wouldn’t change anything.”

“I already did before, most people did. IV is a salty solution, it’s used in American Football by many athletes. But if it’s banned, it’s banned. You can’t be against the virtue. And I think it’s a good move, yes it is.”