If Oscar Valdez were in the UFC, despite his positive test for the medication phentermine, he’d be able to fight on Sept. 10 as planned against Robson Conceicao without issue.
That’s because phentermine is banned only in-competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. In-competition as defined as from 11:59 p.m. the day before a bout through the completion of testing after the bout.
But that’s not to suggest that Valdez, or any boxer, would have an easier time using performance-enhancing drugs in the UFC. The truth is quite the contrary.
There is a major gap in the anti-doping system employed in boxing that makes it far easier for a boxer to use a banned substance, cycle off and yet still reap the benefits from it than there is for a UFC fighter.