No. 1 UFC welterweight contender Johny Hendricks has accepted Georges St-Pierre’s invitation to subscribe to Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) drug testing for their upcoming UFC 167 title fight.
Last week in Las Vegas prior to UFC 162, St-Pierre said he is willing to undergo random VADA drug tests in an attempt to clean up MMA, send a message to his fellow athletes, and prove that he is a clean athlete.
“I believe VADA testing I’m up for it and I invite my opponent to do the VADA testing for the championship fight,” St-Pierre told UFC Central host Showdown Joe Ferraro last week.
“I invite if possible all the high-profile athletes in the UFC to do the same. I believe it’s a good thing. It’s a bit of a pain in the butt sometimes but … I’m ready to do it to set a good example.”
Hendricks accepted St-Pierre’s VADA invitation without hesitation.
“Heck ya!” Hendricks told UFC Central Radio late Thursday on Sportsnet 590 The Fan.
“The worst thing that they’re going to find is a little bit of protein in my diet. If eating wild hogs and organic deer meat and a little bit of glutamine is bad for the ol’ system then I might fail,” Hendricks joked.
Neither Hendricks nor GSP have ever failed a pre- or post-fight drug test in their professional MMA careers, though GSP has been accused of using performance-enhancing drugs by several opponents in the past.
Hendricks also added that he would be open to any type of testing, including Olympic-style United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) screenings.
“It doesn’t matter. Today, tomorrow, three months from now, I’ll gladly take a test for anything,” Hendricks said.
July 11 episode of UFC Central Radio
UFC 167 takes place Nov. 16 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Hendricks (15-1) is riding a six-fight that includes three Knockout of the Night bonuses, plus a Fight of the Night award in his last outing, a unanimous decision over Carlos Condit at UFC 158 in March.
St-Pierre (24-2) has won 11 straight and recently beat Nick Diaz in the main event of UFC 158 in Montreal.
