Last week it came out that UFC women’s bantamweight Jessica Eye was having her most recent win overturned to a No Decision. Shortly after, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation revealed the change came as a result of a failed drug test by Eye following her controversial split decision over Sarah Kaufman at UFC 166. According to Bleacher Report, Eye failed due to a blood thinner taken to combat long standing medical condition. Eye was punished with a year long probationary suspension and an $1875 fine.

Blood Thinners and their use as PED

Many athletes take blood thinners as Coumadin/Warfarin to increase their muscle growth. When the blood becomes thinner due to for example when using Warfarin its easier to cause more micro fiber tears in your muscle tissues which then repair and become larger.

Whatever stress you put upon your muscles it will tear muscle fibers because of the “weakened,” state of the muscle tissues. Athletes report that they feel more blood rushing to their muscles and that they get very powerful “pumps” when on blood thinners.

The problem with blood thinners is however that your muscles aren’t very strong when you are  “on cycle”.