Nevada commission looks to employ company that could trim enhanced drug testing costs

The Nevada State Athletic Commission is looking into a company that could half the overall cost of enhanced, out-of-competition drug testing for MMA fighters, potentially giving regulators more flexibility on when and how often it can be employed.

The commission plans to discuss the use of the Missouri-based National Center for Drug Free Sport during a meeting next Tuesday, May 13, in Las Vegas. If approved, the company could be used for July’s UFC 175 event.

NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar today told MMAjunkie that the National Center for Drug Free Sport uses a network of independent test collectors that could cut the current price tag of enhanced testing for a single bout by $20,000, though he added a fighter’s location is a big variable in cost.

“We’re just exploring all our options at this point to find a more cost effective way to do this,” Aguilar said.

Earlier this month, UFC executive Lorenzo Fertitta told MMAjunkie that the previously quoted cost of enhanced testing – $45,000 per fight – would limit the amount the promotion could bankroll for commissions such as the NSAC.

A UFC 173 fight between welterweights Robbie Lawler and Jake Ellenberger is the second fight in Nevada to be selected for enhanced testing after the first this past December. The pay-per-view event takes place May 24 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Aguilar said the reason the price is currently high for enhanced testing is because the drug testing laboratory that analyzes samples flies its own collector around the country. Employing a decentralized network of professionals might trim costs.

Aguilar said the laboratory utilized for enhanced testing, a World Anti-Doping Agency-approved facility in Salt Lake City, would still analyze drug tests. But the samples would be collected by the National Center for Drug Free Sport, which has worked with the NCAA, MLB and the PGA Tour.

“It’s not the only option,” Aguilar said. “I’m just trying to be ahead of the game for the July fight.”

After the upcoming UFC 173 card on Memorial Day weekend, UFC 175 is the next major MMA event on the NSAC’s calendar and features a middleweight title bout between champ Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida.

At that point, the NSAC will get an idea of how much money it can save. Aguilar said the company was employed by the Maryland State Athletic Commission for a title bout between UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and Glover Teixeira at this past month’s UFC 172 event. Jones said he was drug tested via blood and urine four times prior to the fight.

“If I can get it down to $20,000 or $25,000, I think we’d be in a good position of building on the efficiency of the program,” Aguilar said. “It’s an ever-evolving process.”