UFC Mexico City Fighters Advised on Strict Drug Testing Protocols, Zero Tolerance Policy

Ahead of UFC Mexico City on Saturday, fighters received a warning from the promotion regarding the drug testing procedures administered by Mexico’s Federación de Artes Marciales Mixtas, the country’s MMA regulatory body.

While the UFC’s own anti-doping policy remains intact, fighters must also adhere to Mexico’s commission rules, which enforce a zero-tolerance stance on certain substances. This means that any presence of these drugs, regardless of quantity, will result in a failed test.

The warning emphasized banned substances that are prohibited during in-competition periods, including weigh-in and fight days. Fighters were reminded that discontinuing use only on those specific days is insufficient; instead, they must ensure “zero presence of these medications in your system on weigh-in day and fight day.”

Additionally, the UFC provided suggested cutoff dates for discontinuing use of specific substances:

Stimulants:

• Ritalin: Stop use 7 days before weigh-ins
• Adderall: Stop use 7 days before weigh-ins
• Solriamfetol: Stop use 7 days before weigh-ins
• Modafinil: Stop use 7 days before weigh-ins
• Pseudoephedrine: Stop use 7 days before weigh-ins
• Concerta: Stop use 7 days before weigh-ins
• Vyvanse: Stop use 12 days before weigh-ins

Narcotics:

• Morphine: Stop use 7 days before weigh-ins
• Oxycontin: Stop use 7 days before weigh-ins
• Fentanyl: Stop use 7 days before weigh-ins
• Methadone/Suboxone: Stop use 7 days before weigh-ins
• Buprenorphine: Stop use 7 days before weigh-ins
• Tramadol: Stop use 7 days before weigh-ins

Glucocorticoids:

• Hydrocortisone: Stop use 3 days before weigh-ins
• Dexamethasone: Stop use 5 days before weigh-ins
• Betamethasone: Stop use 5 days before weigh-ins
• Methylprednisolone: Stop use 5 days before weigh-ins
• Prednisone: Stop use 10 days before weigh-ins
• Prednisolone: Stop use 10 days before weigh-ins
• Triamcinolone Acetonide: Stop use 60 days before weigh-ins

Furthermore, the UFC reiterated its stance against the use of illegal recreational drugs, warning that some are also subject to zero tolerance and are prohibited on weigh-in and fight days.

This reminder marks the first time that specific substances and clearance times have been provided to fighters, highlighting the importance of compliance with commission protocols.

UFC Mexico City will be held at Arena CDMX, with the main event featuring vs. Brandon Royval, and Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega 2 as the co-main event.