The Professional Fighters League (PFL) sent out a memo to fighters, revealing that the promotion has partnered with the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
The PFL’s partnership with USADA comes in the wake of multiple fighters testing positive for banned substances. 10 fighters in all failed tests conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, including 2022 light heavyweight champion Rob Wilkinson, 2021 heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza, and former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos. All fighters who tested positive were fined, suspended, and had their victories overturned.
I was the first person with the balls to ask Ray Sefo about the PFL PED scandal. Here’s what he said: #PFL4 #PFLATL https://t.co/vsUy4jvuUZ pic.twitter.com/IuqAxDwXp5
— Dan (@BestFightPicks) June 9, 2023
In response to the epidemic of failed tests, the promotion will work alongside USADA moving forward to ensure the integrity and safety of each fighter who steps inside the Smart Cage.
PFL president Ray Sefo released a memo to fighters, advising of the promotion’s immediate partnership with USADA. In the memo, which you can read below, fighters competing in the upcoming 2023 playoffs will be required to attend educational introduction sessions.
“PFL Fighters,
We are proud to announce that today we are formally launching the PFL Anti-Doping Program in partnership with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
USADA conducts year-round, independent anti-doping programs for all Olympic, Paralympic, and UFC athletes, and will now do so for PFL athletes as well.
This program is part of the PFL’s commitment as a fighter first organization to supporting a safe, level playing field and advancing the highest levels of competition and the integrity of the sport.
The program will begin immediately with initial educational sessions being scheduled with USADA this week for participants in the upcoming Playoffs. Educational sessions to explain the program will be scheduled with other fighters thereafter. It is strongly recommended that each fighter have their coach, manager, or other key support person join the educational sessions.
The PFL Fighter Ops Team will follow up shortly with more details.
In the meantime, more information about the program is available in the attached FAQs and at http://PFL.USADA.org.
Ray Sefo
President of Fighter Operations”
The PFL Playoffs Begin in August Featuring Lightweight, Welterweight, and Women’s Featherweight Semi-Final Bouts
The PFL playoffs will begin on August 4 when the promotion heads to San Antonio. On that night, lightweights will vie for a spot in the 2023 championship as Josh Silveira meets Ty Flores while Marthin Hamlet squares off with ex-UFC standout Impa Kasanganay.
On August 18, the women’s featherweight semifinals will take center stage as 2022 champion Larissa Pacheco returns to take on Olena Kolesnyk. On the opposite side of the bracket, Russia’s Marina Mokhnatkina will look to dispatch American-born Amber Leibrock en route to an appearance in the million-dollar fight.
And finally, on August 23, welterweights Clay Collard and Shane Burgos will feature alongside a battle between Canada and Brazil as Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Bruno Miranda clash inside the Smart Cage.
OFFICIAL: 𝗪𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲. 2023 #PFLPlayoffs New York cards are now set! ✅
August 18th: Heavyweights & Women's Featherweights
August 23rd: Welterweights & LightweightsFor more information and tickets 👇https://t.co/eCMG4faqPw pic.twitter.com/CMwOs5CcmY
— PFL (@PFLMMA) July 12, 2023
PFL Memo Courtesy of MMA Junkie
