MMA News Roundup: UFC shares stance on IV violation, Dana White's slap league faces drug suspension, Paige VanZant given an ultimatum over BKFC future
Welcome to today's edition of Sportskeeda's daily MMA News Roundup, where we present the biggest UFC updates and other stories from the world of MMA.
In today's issue, we talk about the UFC making their stance on IV infusions clear, a Power Slap League competitor getting suspended for PED usage, and more.
UFC brass tweets to clarify stance on IV usage
After hefty accusations of breaching the USADA code were brought against Islam Makhachev by Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC clarified its position on the matter. Jeff Novitzky, Senior Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance for the UFC, penned a series of tweets regarding the same on Thursday.
Novitzky explained that an infusion of 100 ml or less per 12-hour period is allowed per UFC rules. However, if administered, the athlete is required to obtain permission and disclose the usage details to the respective athletic commission.
Read the thread below:
UFC Anti-Doping Program's (UFC ADP) IV rule was modified in 2019. Athletes, managers and support have rec'd multiple advisories on this rule change beginning in 2019. All UFC ADP rules have been publicly posted since 2015. The IV rule advisories included the following:
The following IVs are now permitted without a TUE:
Those rec'd in the course of hospital treatments, surgical procedures, clinical diagnostic investigations;
Those rec'd from a licensed medical prof. after a licensed physician determines that they are medically justified;
IVs of less than a total of 100 mL per 12-hour period;
Separate of the UFC ADP rules, athletic commissions require any athlete who receives an IV during fight week to (1) obtain permission from the commission before receiving an IV and;
(2) disclose use of that IV to the commission after its use.
Despite the fact that IV use is now permitted under UFC ADP if administered by a “licensed medical professional after a licensed physician determines they are medically justified,”
the required disclosure of such use to an athletic commission could possibly jeopardize the commission licensing the fight.
Islam Makhachev and his team have so far denied the allegations.
One Power Slap League competitor flagged for cocaine
Less than a month after its television debut, Dana White's much-promoted Power Slap League had to suspend an athlete over drug usage. The Nevada State Athletic Commission handed Jon Kennedy a nine-month suspension. He was also fined $476, which included $326 in legal fees.
Kennedy, 37, tested positive for cocaine in a drug test taken around his loss to John Davis. He will be eligible to return to combat sports on August 30.
This marks the first sanction handed out by the commission for the Power Slap League.
Read more about the suspension here.
Paige VanZant given an ultimatum by BKFC president
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship president David Feldman has issued an ultimatum to Paige VanZant over her career at the promotion.
The MMA sensation signed with the BKFC in 2020. Despite her disappointing run at the promotion, both VanZant and the BKFC profited off the signing because of the fighter's fanbase. However, her time at the company might be running short.
In an exclusive interview with Mirror Fighting, Feldman stated that he is hoping to schedule a fight for VanZant on April 29. If she refuses to fight on that date, she might not be a part of the promotion anymore.
"I’m going to be talking to her this week and there’s a possibility that she returns on a big card we’ve got in April. If she doesn’t, then it’s probable that she won’t be coming back to BKFC. She’s making a lot of money doing her other businesses and maybe she doesn’t want to do this anymore, I will find out this week."
VanZant recently crossed over to OnlyFans. She previously stated that she was getting paid "ten times more" at the BKFC than she was getting during her time at the UFC.