Georges St-Pierre says only third-party entities can ensure corruption-free drug tests in UFC, reveals common methods fighters use to cheat
UFC legend Georges St-Pierre has been a longtime proponent of fairness in combat sports, and recently touched on the topic in an interview on episode #523 of Theo Von's podcast. According to 'GSP,' current testing methods aren't pervasive enough to detect certain performance-enhancing drugs.
In fact, St-Pierre spoke about some of the methods his fellow fighters use to circumvent anti-doping tests. One of those methods is using performance-enhancing drugs that don't lead to any visual change or alarming gain in muscle mass. He said:
"Sometime, it's not even you cannot notice it physically because certain drug, like for example, like EPO will give you a crazy stamina, but not really changes you physically. There's stuff that... people talk, you know who's who. It's just at the time it was insane, and I'm glad UFC did this. I didn't wanna bring UFC down, that was not my intent when I did this. I wanted to elevate the sport, and I'm glad they did it. I think it elevated the sport."
The Canadian great also touched on the UFC's split from USADA, and expressed hope that the promotion has no power over its new anti-doping partner in Drug Free Sport International. He added:
"They're not with USADA anymore, but I think they hire another organization to do the tests now. But I do believe that if you want to avoid corruption, it needs to be a separated entity that do the test than the organization itself. If the organization has power in their testing, it's corrupt."
Check out Georges St-Pierre talk about PED tests in the UFC (38:41):
For now, the welterweight legend will watch from retirement and hope that the next generation of fighters are handed a better experience.
Georges St-Pierre once fought someone who popped for PEDs
Georges St-Pierre's harsh stance on performance-enhancing drugs is, perhaps, due to his past of fighting opponents who have tested positive for PEDs. Sean Sherk, who once captured UFC lightweight gold, faced 'GSP' in the past, after which he tested positive for nandrolone, a banned substance.
Whether Sherk was using PEDs during their fight is unknown, but 'GSP' TKO'd him nevertheless, within two rounds no less. Based on the Canadian's statements, Sherk isn't the first opponent he has faced who has used PEDs.