As the curtain closes on 2025, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) concludes its second full year operating its internal anti-doping program following the separation from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). This period has offered invaluable insight into the regulatory pressure applied to the promotion’s elite athletes. While fight frequency traditionally dictates testing volume, the final metrics reveal that sometimes, the simple act of being highly ranked—or planning a high-profile return—can lead to disproportionate scrutiny.
The Definition of Activity: Merab Dvalishvili’s Record Year
The clear leader in the 2025 anti-doping compliance statistics is Merab Dvalishvili. The Georgian bantamweight concluded the year having undergone a total of 14 separate test sessions. This impressive volume is not surprising when considering his campaign throughout the year. Dvalishvili demonstrated exceptional consistency and willingness to compete, logging four bouts in the Octagon, a high benchmark for any top contender in the modern UFC landscape.
In a system designed to ensure fairness, high testing volume is intrinsically linked to high professional activity. Dvalishvili`s dedication to remaining active while consistently complying with anti-doping protocols sets a demanding standard for the rest of the roster.
Arman Tsarukyan: The Anomaly of High Scrutiny
While Dvalishvili’s top position is explained by his frenetic pace, the athlete who finished a close second offers a far more interesting case study: Arman Tsarukyan. The Lightweight contender registered 12 test sessions throughout 2025. This figure is technically competitive with Dvalishvili, yet Tsarukyan participated in only one single bout during the same 12-month period.
12 tests for a single fight suggests an incredibly focused anti-doping protocol on high-priority contenders. In Tsarukyan’s case, despite receiving a public “snub” from Dana White regarding an interim title shot—implying he needed to re-earn his spot—the testing metrics indicate that the promotion’s integrity systems view him as an athlete of the highest competitive concern.
Whether this high rate reflects his ranking near the top of the division, anticipation of a major championship bout, or perhaps a routine selection for highly scrutinized athletes, Tsarukyan’s testing frequency stands out as a technical anomaly in the 2025 data.
The Championship Pressure: Testing the Elite
Testing volumes remain consistently high for fighters holding or chasing gold. The Welterweight and Lightweight divisions, which boast some of the most dynamic athletes, saw substantial compliance activity:
- Islam Makhachev (Lightweight Champion): Registered 9 test sessions. As a dominant champion often defending his title against elite competition, a high testing count is expected, reflecting continuous monitoring throughout his preparation cycles.
- Ilia Topuria (Welterweight Contender): Registered 7 test sessions. Similar to Tsarukyan, Topuria’s total came despite competing only once, underlining the emphasis placed on fighters positioned for immediate championship contention.
These figures confirm that testing schedules prioritize title holders and those positioned directly below them, regardless of their actual in-cage output during the year.
The Ghosts of Returns: McGregor and Jones Re-enter the Fold
The 2025 data also captures the regulatory prerequisites for high-profile athletes plotting their return to competition. Both Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, former champions who spent time outside the competitive testing pool, showed renewed activity in the system:
McGregor, who announced a targeted return to action midway through the year, officially re-entered the testing structure and completed 7 test sessions. This compliance phase is mandatory for any returning athlete to ensure they meet the criteria for competitive participation. Jones, the former Heavyweight Champion, also made headlines by reversing his retirement, begging to be included on a potential high-profile card. Subsequently, Jones registered 4 test sessions, a number only slightly lower than his testing volume from the previous year when he actively fought in November. His compliance indicates a serious, though perhaps delayed, intention to return to the elite competitive arena.
In the new era of UFC anti-doping management, these numbers serve as more than just regulatory statistics; they are a direct measurement of competitive relevance. Dvalishvili confirmed his status as the year`s most dedicated professional, while Tsarukyan proved that in the UFC, being tested relentlessly is often the clearest sign of being taken seriously.
Rupert Hartwell