UFC President Dana White with UFC co-owner and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta. Photo by Jack Bratcher for ProMMAnow.com
UFC President Dana White with UFC co-owner and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta. Photo by Jack Bratcher for ProMMAnow.com

UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and President Dana White will hold a press conference on Feb. 18 in Las Vegas. UFC Tonight reported the news on Wednesday. This is something our site has called for in the past. We as fans deserve better policing, more transparency, and a clear sign that the UFC is doing something to protect the sport we love.

Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones tested positive for cocaine during an out-of-competition drug test before UFC 182. Former middleweight champion Anderson Silva tested positive for not one, but two steroids on a Jan. 9 out-of-competition test before UFC 183. His opponent Nick Diaz. Diaz failed both a  pre and post-fight test for his drug of choice, marijuana. Welterweight Hector Lombard popped for some kind of designer steroid following his UFC 182 win.

Silva, Diaz and Lombard are to appear before the Nevada State Athletic Commission to face disciplinary actions the day before the press conference. Obviously this is to shape the press conference’s content and tone depending on the outcome. The fighters will likely be fined and suspended. Ashlee Evans-Smith also faces disciplinary action at the Feb. 17 NSAC meeting for failing her UFC 181 post-fight drug test. The culprit for Evans – diuretics.

The UFC completely abandoned their plan to implement out-of-competition drug tests earlier this year after retired MMA fighter  Cung Le fought a positive test for HGH after he lost to Michael Bisping. This caused his suspension rescinded. After the debacle Dana White made it clear they were done with testing.

We’ve got no business handling the regulation.

ProMMANow.com has not received the date and time for the press conference, or the location. Check back soon and often for updates.

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