Ray Sefo welcomes USADA testing following rash of PFL drug test suspensions: ‘We’re going to keep this sport clean’
Ray Sefo | Photo via PFL
Ray Sefo won't let himself be discouraged by the drug test suspensions that have wreaked havoc on the PFL.
The league took a hit this past May when it was announced that several fighters competing in the 2023 season would be suspended and removed from the competition following failed drug tests, including 2023 light heavyweight champion Rob Wilkinson and former UFC standout Thiago Santos.
In the wake of these suspensions, Sefo is actually welcoming further scrutiny of his fighters, with plans for the USADA - the official drug-testing partner of the UFC - to oversee the upcoming PFL playoffs and the season-ending championship event.
"Obviously, my stance is that sports should be competed at the highest level, but at a safe level and everybody being clean," Sefo told reporters after PFL 4 on Thursday night. "That's the message right through. The message with that also moving forward, USADA will be part of this program from now on. The USADA [testing] will be in the playoffs as well as in the championship and moving forward."
The UFC demands year-round testing of its fighters, and Sefo confirmed that will now be the same case for the PFL's athletes.
"That is correct," Sefo said. "It will be exactly the same program that the USADA does for the UFC."
According to Sefo, the USADA's involvement begins in August with the start of the PFL playoffs. League playoff events are scheduled for Aug. 4 in San Antonio, Texas, and Aug. 18 and Aug. 23 in New York. A date for the PFL championship finals event is still to be announced.
Sefo is determined to avoid any foul play as the league completes its fifth season.
"Especially from the first show when we had, I want to say eight people that popped," Sefo said. "Eight or nine people. For a league, for me, that's a no-no. Again, I don't want to throw people's names out there and whatnot, but the bottom line is we're going to keep this sport clean, we're going to keep the league clean, we're going to have the USADA be part of the league, and that's how it's going to continue to move forward."
Ray Sefo welcomes USADA testing following rash of PFL drug test suspensions: Were going to keep this sport clean originally appeared on NBC Sports
