Georges St-Pierre is paying for more stringent drug-testing out of his purse
In the run-up to his last fight, Georges St-Pierre was accused of using banned substances by his opponent. Nick Diaz said GSP not only used steroids, but was allowed to skirt testing procedures to avoid a failed test.
"I believe [St-Pierre] is on plenty of steroids, and I don't think they test around here, either," Diaz said in March, before losing a decision to GSP at UFC 158. "I doubt I'll be tested. I don't care what they're saying or marketing to the media -- and if so, he's probably got a bottle of p--- in his pocket. I doubt they're standing over him making sure he's not on steroids."
GSP was angered by Diaz's words. As he prepares for his bout with Johny Hendricks, GSP wants to prove he's clean. He's so set on proving he's clean he is paying for VADA testing out of his own pocket.
"I'm ready to pay [for our testing] myself, because I'm the champion," St-Pierre said to MMA Fighting. "All from my purse, I paid for the tests because I'm the champion. That's why I'm ready, I'm ready to do it. That's a point I want to make."
Hendricks agreed to also participate in the test. VADA testing is much more stringent than anything state commissions do. Fighters submit their whereabouts to VADA, and testers can show up at any time. Lindsey Vonn, the Olympic skier who is subject to the similar WADA-testing, was tested while at a fashion show. Shot putter Christian Cantwell was tested at the hospital on the day his son was born.
The random, unannounced and sometimes inconvenient testing means that fighters can't prepare for the test. They can't "cycle off" drugs they used all camp to pass a test. VADA testing is unbiased and one of the best ways to catch fighters using banned substances.
It is also an incredibly expensive way to test athletes. GSP picking up the bill makes the whole thing easier.
