PEDs a focus of UFC/Strikeforce's recently concluded Fighter Summit

[BluenoseGreig]

Earlier this week more than 300 UFC and Strikeforce fighters flew to Las Vegas for the annual Fighter Summit.

The event, which is closed to media and fans, gives Zuffa fighters a crash course in everything from management to social media to Zuffa's accidental medical insurance, which has been expanded to include preexisting conditions.

Additionally, at this year's summit, a focus was placed on the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

In fact, the UFC and Strikeforce announced a formalized written policy against PEDs and other banned substances.

"It is important to continue educating our athletes on the dangers of PEDs and other banned substances," Lawrence Epstein, the company’s executive Strikeforce president and general counsel, stated. "PED and banned substance usage harms the integrity of sport, potentially compromises the safety of our athletes, raises concerns for both short- and long-term health issues, and sends an improper message to our fanbase.

"We will continue to be at the forefront of this issue, and we will continue to work with athletic commissions and other bodies to ensure – to the fullest extent possible – that testing procedure keep pace with scientific advancements regarding the identification and detection of prohibited substances."

Epstein said the UFC and Strikeforce will follow guidelines drafted by the same law firm that advises the NFL.

UFC medical consultant Dr. Jeff Davidson and Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer also spoke about testosterone-replacement therapy and the health effects of PEDs during the two-day summit.

"Flying over 300 athletes from literally all over the world – from Brazil, Europe, the Far East, Australia and all over North America – is always a logistical challenge," UFC Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta stated. "But it is invaluable for our major sports organization to get all of our athletes together go over things like insurance, drug testing and social responsibility. We had great feedback from our athletes, and the summit was extremely worthwhile."

http://mmajunkie.com/news/29662/peds...ter-summit.mma

[Kickass32]

$$$$$$$ that's what this cost the UFC

[Misfit]

It's going to cost a whole lot less if the UFC get the rep of being a sport that PED's are ok.