Sean Strickland Proposes Ultimate Punishment For UFC Fighters Caught Using Steroids

Strickland calls for the ultimate punishment for PED users.

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland wants PED use to be wiped clean under new anti-doping measures.

At the end of 2023, the UFC and USADA had a nasty split. USADA had been the official anti-doping partner of the top MMA promotion since 2015, but the UFC decided to go in a different direction, which has taken effect at the start of 2024. 

USADA CEO Travis Tygart alleged that the situation with Conor McGregor's re-eligibility, as well as comments made by UFC commentator Joe Rogan may have played a factor in the relationship becoming "untenable." The UFC has denied this claim, with the promotion's Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell saying that USADA was too slow in the creation of a whereabouts app to track athletes.

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Now that a new drug testing system is in place, Sean Strickland is calling for stiffer punishment for fighters caught taking steroids and other performance enhancers. Here's the suggestion he made on his X account:

If you pop for steroids, EPO whatever the fuck it is, it should be a life time ban....

Tainted supplements is one thing but the real shit life time ban..

If UFC or athletic commissions gave a fuck it would be standard.

Most the roster would agree to this...

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) January 10, 2024

"If you pop for steroids, EPO whatever the f*** it is, it should be a life time ban.... Tainted supplements is one thing but the real s*** life time ban.. If UFC or athletic commissions gave a f*** it would be standard. Most the roster would agree to this..."

It was officially announced that the UFC has partnered with Drug Free Sport International for sample collection. WADA and SMRTL have been tasked with analyzing those samples. Former FBI agent George Piro is the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to the new anti-doping program, even down to sanctions. 

Strickland, who is set to defend his middleweight gold against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 on January 20, will obviously hope the new system in place can ensure fighters stay clean.

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