UFC Exec Talks Doping With Mike Tyson, Advocates for Marijuana Use in MMA
Perhaps the most well-respected name in the anti-doping field sat down with Mike Tyson to cover a wide range of topics, including the benefits of cannabis use in MMA, as well as why it's nearly impossible to cheat a pee test these days.
Jeff Novitzky is a former top agent for the FDA and current Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance for the UFC. He joined the former heavyweight champ and co-host Eben Britton for an episode of "Hotboxin' With Mike Tyson."
'The Internet Would S--- It's Pants'
The episode was off to a good start when Novitzky was offered a joint before the interview began, as is customary with other guests to the show. Both Tyson and Britton sparked one up and asked the UFC exec if he'd wish to partake.
"I think the Internet would s--- it's pants if I lit one up right here, right?" Novitzky laughed while probably making a wise decision.
Novitzky described his role as the UFC, in which he oversees what he says is the "world's best anti-doping program in professional sports."
Cannabis In UFC
Novitzky believes in the medical uses of cannabis, and points out that UFC, along with Dana White, supports their athletes using CBD. He said there have been discussions avout the Nevada Athletic Commision removing marijuana from their list of banned substances, however, many states still are very strict on not allowing any level of THC in a fighter before a fight.
Novitzky thinks the rules are bogus and points out that a fighter smoking a joint a month before a fight is not feeling stoned anymore yet could still test positive for THC. "That's flat out wrong, I think," he said in regards to powerful opioids being legal over a natural plant such as cannabis.
The Dreaded Pee Test
Novitzky spoke about the grueling process not only the athletes go through, but what the employees endure as they work to collect urine and other samples to test for illegal substances.
"How much respect I have or their athletes, not only are they having to take a pee in front of somebody but somebody that's up on their knees up close and personal watching that pee come right out of them. And that's because of the device, like the Whizzinator that you would put clean urine in."
Tyson interrupted and admitted to actually putting his kid's urine in the Whizzinator for a urine sample and was worried about what the tests may show.
Novitzky said the testers also show up at any time of the day or night for the collection so that they catch the athlete off guard. Bottom line, you can't beat it these days.
"Hotboxin' With Mike Tyson" is available on Apple Podcasts and PodcastOne.
