WATCH: UFC contender Brandon Royval’s cafe visit gets interrupted by random drug-testing

UFC flyweight Brandon Royval gets randomly drug tested during an outing at a restaurant by the new anti-doping agency DFSI.

WATCH: UFC contender Brandon Royval’s cafe visit gets interrupted by random drug-testing

DFSI randomly tests Brandon Royval while out at a restaurant (via Imago/X)

Drug testing in the UFC is a common occurrence. Fighters are subjected to random tests at any time to assess if they might have taken some illegal stuff. The latest of the fighters to get random drug tested was former flyweight title contender Brandon Royval. He experienced an unusual interruption from DFSI officials during a casual visit to a restaurant. 

The American fighter found himself subjected to a no-notice drug test by representatives from Drug-Free Sports International (DFSI). This was while seated and likely enjoying a meal in a restaurant. Brandon Royval shared this with his fans on his Instagram story. The video showed the official from the agency leaving. The camera then pans towards the restaurant’s name, Santos Cafe and Grill. This is what he captioned the story:

Lol. they really drug testing me everywhere.
Brandon Royval via Instagram Story
YouTube video

Royval currently holds the top ranking in the UFC’s 125-pound division. He recently went through a 5 round fight against former champion Brandon Moreno. Royal won the fight via decision. This put him in the title contention again. However, the UFC opted for an unexpected title matchup, pitting Alexandre Pantoja against Steve Erceg at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro.

FS Video

This random drug testing scenario exemplified the stringent anti-doping measures implemented by the UFC through its partnership with DFSI. Such no-notice, random drug tests aim to maintain the integrity of the sport. Fighters must remain diligent, as they could be tested at any given time. This can happen even during seemingly ordinary activities like dining out or even at night.

Is DFSI just a new name for USADA?

The UFC adopted an in-house drug testing system after parting ways with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in 2023. This marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in the promotion’s efforts to maintain a clean sport. DFSI now handles sample collection, while the renowned Sports Medicine Research & Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) conducts the actual sample analysis.

DFSI using the same tactics as USADA
DFSI using the same tactics as USADA (via MMA Crossfire)

The same tactics, however, plague the fighters. No-notice testing is still part of the DFSI program. Fighters must provide their location at all times to allow for this testing. This caused a lot of problems in the USADA era when officials randomly tested fighters in the middle of the night. Fighters like Brandon Royval must agree to give their samples at inconvenient places like restaurants or face repercussions.

The DFSI rules are different from those of the USADA. Their limit on several banned substances and other stuff is greater than the USADA threshold. Fight fans will closely monitor the new system’s effectiveness. Only time will tell if the new program can maintain the integrity of the sport and earn the trust of fighters and fans alike.

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