The UFC’s new era of drug testing starts with heavyweight fighter Walt Harris.
Introducing Combat Sports Anti-Doping
After an eight-year partnership to keep the sport clean, the UFC and their anti-doping partner USADA had a troublesome break-up with Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) filling in as the replacement program. George Piro, a former FBI agent and interrogator of Saddam Hussein, will reportedly spearhead the operation.
CSAD isn’t playing games, having already tested 537 fighters on the roster at least once including UFC superstar Conor McGregor, who has the most drug tests of any fighter at 5.
Harris Tests Positive For Anabolic Steroids
On Wednesday, the UFC’s new anti-doping partner handed out their first suspension to Harris after the longtime UFC heavyweight tested positive for multiple banned substances in drug tests stemming from summer of last year.
Harris popped for anabolic steroids drostanolone and testosterone among other prohibited substances.
As a result, the Nevada Athletic Commission issued a one year suspension with the CSAD now increasing the punishment to a four-year suspension for ‘The Big Ticket’ (which started in 2023). Harris, 40, is eligible to compete again in July 2027, if he still wants to continue his career then at 44 years old.
You can the read the CSAD’s official press release regarding the suspension below (via Aaron Bronsteter):
“Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD] announced today that Walt Harris, of Pelham, Alabama, has accepted a 48-month sanction for two separate violations of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. Harris first tested positive for drostanalone, its metabolite 3a-hydroxy-2a-methyl-5a-androstan-17-on, and testosterone of exogenous origin in samples collected on June 24, 2023 and July 12, 2023. Harris was notified of the first adverse finding on July 11, 2023.
“Subsequently, and after he was notified of the June 23, 2023 adverse finding, Harris provided urine and blood samples on August 6, 2023. His urine sample was positive for the presence of anastrozole, a new prohibited substance that was not present in any of the previous samples, as well as drostanolone and its metabolite. His blood sample tested positive for the presence of exogenous testosterone, which based on its values, was determined as new administration since the notification of his first adverse finding on July 11, 2023. Drostanolone and testosterone are anabolic steroids and prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy (UFC ADP] and UFC Prohibited List. Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor, also prohibited at all times, under the UFC ADP and UFC Prohibited List.
“Harris’ 48-month period of ineligibility began on July lith, 2023, the date he was notified of his provisional suspension as a result of his first positive test result. The Nevada Athletic Commission [NAC] previously announced a 1-year suspension and fine resulting from these test results as Harris was scheduled to compete in Nevada on July 15, 2023.”
Career-Ender?
Harris (13-10) has spent the last decade fighting in the UFC Octagon. Debuting in 2013, the heavyweight knockout artist has fought some of the best fighters in the world including former champs Fabricio Werdum, Alistair Overeem and Russia’s Alexander Volkov.
The UFC veteran’s last fight came in 2021— a TKO loss to Marcin Tybura, which could be Walt Harris’ final fight ever with this four-year suspension in play.
