UFC BJJ PED testing will begin in 2026, marking a major shift for competitive Jiu-Jitsu.
Mikey Musumeci confirmed the move, revealing a formal anti-doping program is on the way.
The announcement comes amid growing PED debates involving Craig Jones, Jake Shields, and others.
UFC BJJ’s anti-doping initiative could reshape how elite grapplers prepare for competition.
UFC BJJ PED Testing Set for 2026, Signals Major Culture Shift in Competitive Grappling
In a move that could dramatically reshape the landscape of submission grappling, UFC BJJ will officially begin PED testing in 2026.
The announcement came via UFC Fight Pass champion Mikey Musumeci, who revealed that an anti-doping program is already in development.
The decision marks a clear departure from the laissez-faire approach that has historically defined Jiu-Jitsu competition. It also positions UFC BJJ PED testing as a potential disruptor in a sport long plagued by unregulated steroid use at the highest levels.
“They’re going to start testing next year… there’s going to be a full anti-doping system.”– Mikey Musumeci
Musumeci’s statement aligns with a formal UFC announcement outlining an independent anti-doping protocol for the UFC BJJ circuit, which was launched earlier this year.
While details remain limited, the program will reportedly mirror aspects of UFC’s existing drug testing infrastructure — though not necessarily under the USADA banner.
Is There a Place for USADA in Professional Grappling?
While steroid accusations and speculation have swirled around No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu for years, actual enforcement has been almost nonexistent.
UFC BJJ’s introduction of a legitimate PED testing framework could set a new precedent — particularly as more mainstream brands and media outlets begin investing in the grappling space.
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. Craig Jones, who has previously criticized UFC over fighter pay and exclusive contracts, took a more tongue-in-cheek approach to the news:
“I’m encouraging safe steroid use.”– Craig Jones –
Meanwhile, veteran fighter and grappler Jake Shields voiced more nuanced opinions about PEDs in combat sports, saying on record that he “[goes] back and forth on it,” indicating the deep ambivalence still present in the scene.
Why PED Testing in UFC BJJ Might Mess Up the Entire BJJ World
The introduction of UFC BJJ PED testing also reflects a larger ambition: taking Jiu-Jitsu out of the subculture and into the global spotlight.
Dana White’s team has made it clear they want the sport to stand shoulder to shoulder with MMA, not remain an insular niche dominated by unregulated events.
Fighters and fans alike now face a new reality—one in which elite Jiu-Jitsu may finally be held to the same anti-doping standards as other professional sports.
The UFC’s official press release reinforced this trajectory, emphasizing that:
“Our new anti-doping program is being designed to uphold the integrity of competition and protect athlete health as we build UFC BJJ into a global platform.”– UFC Statement –
At this level, running away from testers like Cyborg & Co. did at the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds in 2022 is not going to cut it.
We’ll see if we end up witnessing more nuanced workarounds, grapplers suffering the Vitor Belfort transformation back to a normal human, or just a very thinned herd of the ‘best grapplers in the world’?
Online discussion has been predictably polarized, which was unexpected. While some athletes are applauding the move as long overdue, others worry about the enforcement mechanisms and whether this could create further divides between promotional events.
The Reddit community was quick to note that unless all major BJJ promotions adopt similar standards, PED testing could create an uneven playing field — especially for athletes who float between UFC BJJ, ADCC, CJI, and IBJJF circuits.
UFC BJJ PED Testing — Finally a Solution or Just More Chaos?
Whether you love it or hate it, UFC BJJ PED testing is happening—and it’s happening soon. For many, this represents a long-awaited reckoning. For others, it’s a challenge to adapt or risk being left behind. Either way, Jiu-Jitsu is entering a new era—one with fewer syringes and a lot more scrutiny.
