UFC hires "Eliot Ness" of anti-doping to lead new drug testing program
In February, the UFC announced a new standard for drug testing in the promotion, including random, year-round testing for athletes as well as advocating for stiffer penalties and suspensions for those fighters who were caught cheating.
If there was any question about the UFC's dedication to the program, a huge answer was given on Monday with the announcement that the promotion has hired Jeff Novitzky as the new Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance.
For those unfamiliar with Novitzky's name, he's often referred to as the "Eliot Ness" of the steroid era, as he was the lead investigator in several high profile drug cases, including gathering evidence that helped indict Barry Bonds on several charges including perjury and obstruction of justice. Novitzky also led the initial investigation into BALCO, the company connected to a huge performance enhancing drug scandal involving dozens of professional athletes.
Prior to his hire at the UFC, Novitzky worked at both the Food and Drug Administration as well as the Internal Revenue Service as an investigator.
He was instrumental in the case brought against former Olympian Marion Jones, who eventually pled guilty in 2007 for making false statements to Novitzky about her use of performance enhancing drugs. Novitzky also spearheaded the investigation into Lance Armstrong, who eventually admitted to doping while he was a cyclist in many high profile races such as the Tour de France.
Novitzky is held in the highest esteem by virtually anyone who has ever been involved in drug testing or the investigations surrounding performance enhancing drugs in athletics.
"There is no greater friend of clean athletes," Travis Tygart, the CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency told the New York Times about Novitzky in 2007. "Clean sport should be real thankful that he is on our team. He deserves a shrine in Cooperstown and an MVP award of clean sport. He has done more than any other individual to bring issues to the forefront."
Novitzky will head up the UFC's new drug testing protocols including the year round testing programs as well as education and prevention programs.
"I am thrilled to be joining a world-class organization like UFC, that is committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure all of its athletes are competing in a clean sport," Novitzky said in a press release. "I am confident that UFC will be able to create a new gold standard testing program and implement it so a sustainable and level playing field is provided for all athletes."
