All eight fighters who underwent drug testing at February's UFC 144 event tested clean for performance-enhancing drugs and recreational/drugs of abuse.
UFC Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner, confirmed the drug-testing results with
MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com).
UFC 144 took place Feb. 26, at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The main card aired on pay-per-view (on Feb. 25 due to the time difference), and FX and Facebook carried the prelims.
Because no regulatory body was available, the UFC acted as its own under the direction of Ratner.
In the night's headliner, former WEC champ Benson Henderson defeated Frankie Edgar to claim the UFC lightweight title. Edgar has since been granted a rematch, and the two will meet again later this year.
Both headliners and six other randomly chosen fighters were tested. The randomly chosen fighters weren't disclosed.
All tested negative for drugs of abuse (such as marijuana and cocaine), as well as anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancers.
When no regulatory body is available, which was the case in Japan, the UFC hires outside drug testers for events. Ratner, the former head of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, oversees the process.
This past weekend's UFC on FUEL TV 2 event, which took place in Sweden, was regulated by the Swedish MMA Federation. All 24 fighters on the card were tested, according to Ratner, though results have yet to be revealed.
