Anti-doping MMA

About Anti-Doping – Clean MMA

We believe that success in MMA should be earned through hard work, discipline, and dedication—not through the use of performance-enhancing drugs or banned methods. Hence, we are fully committed to clean MMA and to upholding the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and respect in MMA competitions. Doping can be harmful to an athlete’s health, damages the integrity of sport, and is morally and ethically wrong. All AMMA athletes participating in AMMA sanctioned competitions and organizations under its jurisdiction must abide by the AMMA Anti-Doping Rules.

What is doping?

Doping is not just a positive test showing the presence of a prohibited substance in an athlete’s urine sample. Doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the 11 Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) outlined in the World Anti-Doping Code and AMMA Anti-Doping Rules. These are:

  1. Presence of a prohibited substance, its metabolites or markers in an athlete’s sample
  2. Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method by an athlete
  3. Refusing, evading or failing to submit to sample collection by an athlete
  4. Failure to file whereabouts information and/or missed tests by an athlete
  5. Tampering or attempted tampering with the doping control process by an athlete or other person
  6. Possession of a prohibited substance or method by an athlete or athlete support personnel
  7. Trafficking or attempted trafficking of a prohibited substance or method by an athlete or other person
  8. Administering or attempting to administer a prohibited substance or method to an athlete
  9. Complicity or attempted complicity in an ADRV by an athlete or other person
  10. Prohibited Association by an athlete or other person with sanctioned athlete support personnel
  11. Acts to discourage or retaliate against reporting to authorities

Why is doping in sport prohibited?

The use of doping substances or doping methods to enhance performance is fundamentally wrong and is detrimental to the overall spirit of sport. Drug misuse can be harmful to an athlete’s health and to other athletes competing in the sport. It severely damages the integrity, image, and value of sport, whether or not the motivation to use drugs is to improve performance. To achieve integrity and fairness in sport, a commitment to clean sport is critical.

What does ‘Strict Liability’ mean?

  • The principle of strict liability applies to all athletes who compete in any sport with an anti-doping program. Athletes are responsible for any prohibited substance, or its metabolites or markers found to be present in their urine and/or blood sample collected during doping control, regardless of whether it was intentional or unintentional. It is ultimately each athlete’s responsibility to know what enters their body.
  • The rule under Code Article 2.1 and Article 2.2 states that it is not necessary that intent, fault, negligence, or knowing use on the athlete’s part be demonstrated by the Anti-Doping Organization to establish an anti-doping rule violation.

Why is doping dangerous?

Doping can result in severe health consequences and also comes with sport, social, financial, and legal consequences. For an athlete, doping could spell the end of their sporting career, reputation, and prospects both in and out of sport.

Sport Consequences

The sanctions for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) can include:

  • Provisional Suspension: Temporarily banned from participating in competition or activity while results management is ongoing or until a final decision is rendered.
  • Ineligibility: Not allowed to compete or participate in activities (e.g., training, coaching, access to funding) for up to 4 years or life depending on the case.
  • Disqualification of results: Results for a period/competition/event invalidated, with forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes.
  • Public Disclosure: The Anti-Doping Organization (ADO) informs the public of the ADRV.
  • Fines.

Health Consequences

The health consequences to an athlete can include:

  • Physical health: Medical interventions are intended for diagnosed conditions, not healthy athletes. Depending on the substance, dosage, and frequency, doping can cause serious adverse effects.
  • Psychological health: Doping may lead to anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders, or psychosis.

Social Consequences

Some of social consequences of doping include:

  • Damage to reputation and image (media attention can make this permanent; future clean performances may be met with scepticism)
  • Damage to future career prospects
  • Isolation from peers and sport
  • Damaged relationships with friends and family
  • Effects on emotional and psychological well-being
  • Loss of standing, fame, respect, and credibility

Financial Consequences

The financial consequences of doping can include:

  • Fines and costs associated with an ADRV under ADO rules
  • Loss of income/financial support (e.g., government funding, grants), and income lost by missing competitions
  • Withdrawal of sponsorship
  • Requirement to reimburse sponsor, if contractually stipulated
  • Reimbursement of prize money
  • Long-term career impact due to damaged reputation

Legal Consequences

In addition to the sport, health, social and financial consequences listed above, doping can come with other legal consequences, such as:

  • In some countries (e.g., Austria, Italy, France), certain doping acts are criminal offences. ADRVs involving trafficking, possession, or administering prohibited substances may be criminally prosecuted.

What do athletes and athlete support personnel need to know about anti-doping?

Athletes, their support personnel and others who are subject to anti-doping rules all have rights and responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). Part Three of the Code outlines roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the anti-doping system.

Athletes’ Rights

“Every athlete has the right to clean sport!”

Ensuring that athletes are aware of their rights and that these rights are respected is vital to the success of clean sport. WADA’s Athlete Committee (now Athlete Council) drafted the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act (Act).

This Act is made up of two parts. Part one sets out rights that are found in the Code and International Standards. Part two sets out recommended athlete rights that are not found in the Code or International Standards but are rights that athletes recommend that Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) adopt for best practice.

Athlete rights outlined in the Code include:

  • Equal opportunities in their pursuit of sport, free of participation by other athletes who dope
  • Equitable and fair testing programs
  • A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) application process
  • To be heard and to have a fair hearing within a reasonable time by a fair, impartial, and operationally independent hearing panel, with a timely reasoned decision that explains the decision
  • Right to appeal the hearing decision
  • Accountability of any ADO with jurisdiction over them, and the ability to report compliance issues
  • Ability to report Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) anonymously and without threats or intimidation
  • Receiving anti-doping education
  • Fair handling of personal information by ADOs in accordance with the International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information (ISPPPI) and applicable law
  • To pursue damages from another athlete whose ADRV has harmed them
  • During the sample collection process, the right to:
    • See the identification of the Doping Control Officer (DCO)
    • Request additional information about the sample collection process, the authority under which it is carried out, and the type of sample collection
    • Hydrate
    • Be accompanied by a representative and, if available, an interpreter
    • Request a delay in reporting to the doping control station for valid reasons (International Standard for Testing and Investigations Art. 5.4.4)
    • Request modifications for athletes with impairments (if applicable)
    • Be informed of their rights and responsibilities
    • Receive a copy of the records of the process
    • Have further protections for “protected persons” due to age or lack of legal capacity
    • Request and attend the B sample analysis (in the case of an Adverse Analytical Finding)

Athletes’ Responsibilities

Athletes’ rights to clean sport come with corresponding responsibilities. Athletes may be tested in- and out-of-competition, anytime, anywhere, with no advance notice. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

  • Complying with the AMMA Anti-Doping Rules
  • Being available for sample collection (urine, blood, or dried blood spot (DBS)), whether in competition or out-of-competition
  • Remaining under direct observation of the DCO or chaperone from notification until sample collection is complete
  • Providing identification upon request during the sample collection process
  • Ensuring that no prohibited substance enters their body and no prohibited method is used on them
  • Ensuring any treatment is not prohibited under the current Prohibited List; confirming with prescribing physicians or directly with the ADO if necessary
  • Applying to the relevant ADO for a TUE if no permitted alternative treatment exists
  • Reporting immediately for sample collection after notification
  • Ensuring the accuracy of information entered on the Doping Control Form (DCF)
  • Cooperating with ADOs investigating ADRVs
  • Not working with support personnel who are ineligible due to an ADRV or who have been criminally convicted/professionally disciplined in relation to doping

Athlete Support Personnel Rights

  • Right to a fair hearing before an independent hearing panel
  • Right to appeal the hearing decision
  • Rights regarding data protection, according to the ISPPPI and applicable law

Athlete Support Personnel Responsibilities

  • Using their influence on athlete values and behaviours to foster clean sport
  • Knowing and complying with AMMA anti-doping policies and rules
  • Cooperating with the athlete doping control program
  • Cooperating with ADOs investigating ADRVs
  • Informing the relevant IF and/or NADO if they have committed an ADRV in the last 10 years
  • Refraining from possessing a prohibited substance or method*, administering any such substance or method to an athlete, trafficking, covering up an ADRV or other forms of complicity, and associating with a person convicted of doping (prohibited association)

*Unless the support personnel can establish possession is consistent with a TUE granted to an athlete or other acceptable justification (e.g., a team doctor carrying prohibited substances for acute/emergency situations).

AMMA Anti-Doping Rules

AMMA has developed its own set of anti-doping rules based/adapted from the World Anti-Doping Code and came into force on 1 Nov 2025. Each AMMA member National Federation is expected to adopt the AMMA Anti-Doping Rules.

The Prohibited List

The Prohibited List identifies substances and methods prohibited in-competition, at all times (i.e. in- and out-of-competition) and in particular sports. Substances and methods are classified by categories (e.g. steroids, stimulants, masking agents). The List is updated at least annually following an extensive consultation process facilitated by WADA. The new list takes effect on January 1 of each year. It is each athlete’s responsibility to ensure that no prohibited substance enters his/her body and that no prohibited method is used.

The List only contains the generic names of the pharmaceutical substances. The List does not contain brand names of the medications, which vary from country to country. Before taking any medication, an athlete should check with the prescribing physician that it does not contain a prohibited substance. You may also use online databases such as Global Drug Reference Online (Global DRO) to check medications.

The Global Drug Reference Online (Global DRO) provides athletes and support personnel with information about the prohibited status of specific medications based on the current World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. Note: AMMA does not take responsibility for the information provided on this website.

An athlete will only be allowed to use a prohibited substance for medical reasons if the athlete has a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance that the AMMA has granted or recognized

According to the Code, the in-competition is the period commencing at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a Competition in which the Athlete is scheduled to participate through the end of such Competition and the Sample collection process related to such Competition. The in- competition period is very important to understand when it relates to substances that are prohibited in-competition. When a substance is prohibited in-competition, it must leave the athlete’s system by the time the said competition begins. It does not mean that the athlete must stop taking the substance only by the time the in-competition period begins. Different substances take different amounts of time to leave the system – athletes must be extremely careful to make sure that they are not caught with a positive test as a result of taking a substance prohibited in-competition.

Risk of Supplement Use

Extreme caution is recommended regarding supplement use. A number of positive tests have been attributed to the misuse of supplements, poor labelling or contamination of dietary supplements.

The use of supplements by athletes is a concern because in many countries the manufacturing and labelling of supplements may not follow strict rules, which may lead to a supplement containing an undeclared substance that is prohibited under anti-doping regulations. Pleading that a poorly labelled dietary supplement was taken is not an adequate defence in a doping hearing.

Risks of supplements include:

  • Manufacturing standards, which are often less strict when compared with medications. These lower standards often lead to supplement contamination with an undeclared prohibited substance, for example when manufacturing equipment isn’t cleaned to the required standards and contains remnants of ingredients from a previous product.
  • Fake or low-quality products which may contain prohibited substances and be harmful to health. • Mislabelling of supplements with ingredients wrongly listed and prohibited substances not identified on the product label.
  • False claims that a particular supplement is endorsed by Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) or that it is “safe for athletes”. Remember, ADOs do not certify supplements, and the product label may contain misleading messaging. Athletes should do a risk-benefit assessment if they are considering the use of supplements. The first step of such an assessment is to consider whether a “food-first” approach meets the athlete’s needs. Whenever possible, such assessment should be done with a support of a certified nutritionist or other qualified professional who is familiar with the global and AMMA Anti-Doping Rules. Checking your supplements If, after careful consideration, an athlete chooses to use supplements, they must take the necessary steps to minimize the risks associated with supplements.

This includes:

  • Thorough research on the type and dose of the supplement, preferably with the advice of a certified nutritionist or other qualified professional who is familiar with Anti-Doping Rules.
  • Only selecting supplements that have been “batch-tested” by an independent company.
  • Remembering what supplement they take, keep some of it in case they get a positive result, and keep any proof of purchase and declare it on the Doping Control Form (DCF).

Remember, no supplement is 100% risk-free but athletes and athlete support personnel can take certain steps to minimize these risks. Neither WADA nor AMMA is involved in any supplement certification process and therefore do not certify or endorse manufacturers or their products. WADA and AMMA do not control the quality or the claims of the supplements industry

Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs)

What is a TUE?

Athletes, like all people, may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take particular medications or undergo procedures. If the medication or method an athlete is required to take/use to treat an illness or condition is included in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List, a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) may give that athlete the authorization to take a substance or use a method that is prohibited. Applications for TUEs are reviewed by a panel of experts, the TUE Committee (TUEC) who may give such permission.

What are the criteria for granting a TUE?

All of the four following criteria must be met (for more details, please refer to the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) Article 4.1):

  • The athlete has a clear diagnosed medical condition which requires treatment using a prohibited substance or method;
  • The therapeutic use of the substance would not produce significant enhancement of performance beyond the athlete’s normal state of health;
  • There is no reasonable therapeutic alternative to the use of the prohibited substance or method;
  • The necessity to use that substance or method is not the consequence of the prior use (without a TUE), of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use.

Who should apply for a TUE, where and when?

First, check if the medication or method you intend to take or use appears on the Prohibited List

You have the responsibility to inform your doctors that you are an athlete subject to doping control, and your doctors should check the Prohibited List whenever they prescribe a medication / method to you. If the substance / method is prohibited, check with your doctors if there are any alternative treatments that are not prohibited. If not, you have to apply for a TUE.

For athletes competing in AMMA organized competitions, you will need to apply to your respective National Anti-Doping Organization for a TUE as soon as the need arises, unless there are emergency or exceptional circumstances. If you are an International Athlete and part of the registered testing pool of an International Federation (IF), you should apply to your IF for a TUE. The TUEs granted by your National Anti-Doping Organization or IF will need to be submitted to AMMA. For substances prohibited in-competition only, you should apply for a TUE at least 30 days before your next competition.

Can I get a retroactive TUE?

You may apply retroactively for a TUE if:

  • You required emergency or urgent treatment of a medical condition.
  • There was insufficient time, opportunity or other exceptional circumstances that prevented you from submitting the TUE application, or having it evaluated, before getting tested.
  • You are a lower level athlete who is not under the jurisdiction of AMMA or a NADO and were tested.
  • You tested positive after using a substance Out-of-Competition that is only prohibited In-Competition (for example glucocorticoids).
  • As per our anti-doping rules, you are neither international or national level and therefore were not permitted or required to apply in advance for a TUE

Important note:

Using a prohibited substance before being granted a TUE could result in an Adverse Analytical Finding and a potential anti-doping rule violation. In case an application for a retroactive TUE is necessary following sample collection, you are strongly advised to have a medical file prepared and ready to submit for evaluation.

Testing

The aim of testing is to protect clean athletes through the detection and deterrence of doping. Any athlete under the testing jurisdiction of the AMMA may be tested at any time, with no advance notice, in- or out-of-competition, and be required to provide a urine, blood sample or blood for a Dried Blood Spot (DBS) analysis.

Sample Collection Process

1. Athlete Selection: An athlete can be selected for testing at any time and any place.
2. Notification: A Doping Control Officer (DCO) or chaperone will notify the athlete of their selection and outline their rights and responsibilities.
3. Reporting to the Doping Control Station: The athlete should report to the doping control station immediately after being notified. The DCO may allow a delay in reporting for a valid reason.
4. Sample Collection Equipment: The athlete is given a choice of individually sealed sample collection vessels and kits to choose from.
5. They must inspect the equipment and verify the sample code numbers.
6. Collecting the sample:

For a urine sample:

  • Providing the sample: The athlete will be asked to provide the sample under the direct observation of a DCO or witnessing chaperone of the same gender.
  • Volume: A minimum 90mL is required for urine samples. If the first sample is not 90mL, the athlete may be asked to wait and provide an additional sample.
  • Splitting the sample: The athlete will split their sample into A and B bottles.
  • Sealing the samples: The athlete will seal the A and B bottles in accordance with the DCO’s instructions.
  • Measuring specific gravity: The DCO will measure the specific gravity of the sample to ensure it is not too dilute to analyse. If it is too dilute, the athlete may be asked to provide additional samples.

For a blood sample:

  • The athlete will be asked to remain seated and relaxed for at least 10 minutes before undergoing venipuncture (only for the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) blood samples).
  • The Blood Collection Officer (BCO) will ask for the athlete’s non-dominant arm, apply a tourniquet to the upper arm, and clean the skin at the puncture site.
  • The BCO will draw blood from the athlete and fill each Vacutainer blood tube with the required volume of blood.
  • The BCO will place the Vacutainer tubes into the A and B kits (only one vial may be necessary if the blood sample is collected as part of an ABP program).

For a Dried Blood Spot (DBS) analysis:

  • The DCO/BCO will assess the most suitable location for the puncture that is unlikely to adversely affect the athlete or their sporting performance (e.g., finger of a non-dominant hand/arm).
  • The athlete will warm the sample collection site (especially in case the hands are cold).
  • The DCO/BCO will disinfect the blood sample site with a sterile disinfectant pad or swab.
  • The DCO/BCO will collect the blood from the fingertips (with cellulose based cards) or from the upper arm (with microneedles devices).
  • The DCO/BCO will transfer the DBS samples into a secure kit that is labelled as A&B.

7.Completing the Doping Control Form (DCF): The athlete will check and confirm that all of the information is correct, including the sample code number and their declaration of medications and/or products they have used. They will also be asked their consent for the use of the sample for research purposes. They will receive a copy of the DCF and should keep it.
8. Laboratory Process: All samples are sent to WADA accredited laboratories for analysis.

Report Doping

Every time someone steps forward with information on doping, we move closer to a clean and fair playing field for all. As an athlete, athlete support personnel or any person aware of doping practices has a duty to report their suspicions to WADA, their IF or NADO, even if you are not sure about what you witnessed. Many ADOs, including WADA, have online, confidential tools to report suspicious behaviour. Every piece of information is important. Report doping or any concern about doping here

Education Tools

At the heart of integrity in sport is a commitment to education. We believe that through comprehensive education on anti-doping policies, risks, and ethical principles, athletes, coaches, and stakeholders can make informed decisions that uphold fairness and respect in competition. WADA’s Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform (ADEL) is the centralized platform offering educational solutions for athletes, coaches, medical professionals, Anti-Doping Organization (ADO) practitioners, researchers, and other members of the clean sport community. ADEL host educational guides, programs, courses and toolkits targeting different audiences.

ADEL courses and programs include:

  • Privacy and Information Security Awareness for Athletes
  • Athlete’s Guide to the 2021 Code
  • At-a-Glance: Athlete Whereabouts
  • At-a-Glance: Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE)
  • At-a-Glance: Anti-Doping Overview
  • Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Testing – The Basics
  • Factsheet – Glucocorticoid Injections
  • ADEL for International-Level Athletes
  • Guide to the List 2024
  • ADEL for National-Level Athletes
  • ADEL for Registered Testing Pool Athletes
  • ADEL for Talented Level Athletes
  • Recertification course for International-Level Athletes / National-Level Athletes
  • ADEL for High Performance Coaches
  • Factsheet for Medical Professionals – Glucocorticoid Injection
  • ADEL for Medical Professionals
  • ADEL for Medical Professionals at Major Games
  • ADEL for Parents of Elite Athletes
  • Athlete Support Personnel Guide to the Code 2021
  • Sport Values in Every Classroom for Teachers

AMMA recommends all athlete to complete the International Level Athlete ADEL e-learning module prior to their participation in AMMA competitions. Athlete support personnel are strongly encouraged to complete the module created for them by WADA. AMMA has also partnered with International Testing Agency to provide anti-doping education initiatives. Athletes may also visit the International Testing Agency’s Athlete Hub for the latest anti-doping news, updates and useful anti-doping resources.

Sanctions

The list of AMMA anti-doping sanctions are summarized in the table below:
There are no sanctions in force at this time

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding AMMA anti-doping program, kindly contact https://asianmma.org/contact/ AMMA or email info@asianmma.org