UFC hires BALCO investigator to improve drug testing program

The UFC is taking steps to try and clean up the sport. 

The organization announced Monday it's hired Jeff Novitzky to be its new vice president of athlete health and performance. Novitzky, a Food and Drug Administration agent, was involved in the BALCO investigation that shed light on steroid use among several Major League Baseball players and other high-profile athletes.

"There is no bigger advocate of clean professional sports than Jeff Novitzky," said Lawrence Epstein, UFC's senior executive vice president and COO. "When we announced our commitment for an enhanced drug testing program in February, we wanted to ensure that the best people would be helping move this program forward, and Jeff will lead the UFC in developing the most comprehensive anti-doping policy in professional sports."

The UFC has had some bad press lately after Anderson Silva's positive test and Georges St-Pierre's criticism of the organization's current testing policy. 

"I am thrilled to be joining a world-class organization like UFC, that is committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure all of its athletes are competing in a clean sport," Novitzky stated. "I am confident that UFC will be able to create a new gold standard testing program and implement it so a sustainable and level playing field is provided for all athletes."