The fighters set to compete at UFC 298 have been provided with important information regarding drug testing for marijuana and weight-cutting regulations for the upcoming event in Anaheim, California.
In correspondence obtained by MMA Fighting, the UFC informed fighters about the drug testing protocols related to marijuana and potential fines associated with exceeding a specified threshold.
According to rules established by the California State Athletic Commission, any positive drug test surpassing 150 ng/mL would be considered beyond the acceptable limit.
Fighters exceeding this threshold would face a $100 fine imposed by the commission. The communication emphasized the importance of discontinuing marijuana use immediately to avoid exceeding the specified limit set by the California Commission.
Additionally, the UFC notified fighters that drug testing would occur on either weigh-in day or fight day, aligning with the standard practice employed by commissions conducting in-competition tests.
Competitors participating in the California event were also apprised of the commission’s “10 point plan to combat dangerous weight-cutting practices.”
As per the rule, the California Commission has the authority to conduct remote weight checks on fighters up to 30 days before the event and throughout the period leading up to the event.
Furthermore, a second weigh-in will be conducted on the night of the event. Fighters who gain more than 10 percent of their body weight plus one pound from weigh-in day to event night may be recommended by the CSAC to move up in weight class for their next fight.
To clarify, while the weight-cutting program can recommend a fighter to move up a weight class based on commission-received information, no mandatory requirement will be imposed in such cases.
UFC 298 is scheduled to take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Feb. 17, featuring featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defending his title against Ilia Topuria in the main event.
