Mixed martial arts has entered into an entirely new era recently. It is an era where if you want to compete in the UFC, you have to do it with without any performance enhancing drugs. This includes any “Russian Supplements” that had previously been undetectable.

On July 1st 2015, USADA and the UFC announced not only stricter testing for fighters, but also a drastically increased rate of testing, both of which has had significant impacts on the sport. Now in 2016, we have seen record increases in title changes and movements up and down rankings. While some fighters struggle in this new era, others are thriving.

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Michael Bisping is not shy in stating his belief that the dawning of USADA testing and his capturing the middleweight championship are related. It’s hard for anyone to deny that there are fighters out there today who look drastically different.

Here are 6 fighters who looked amazing before USADA testing came into play…

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 24: T.J. Dillashaw reacts to his victory over Renan Barao in their bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 173 event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 24, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

6. T.J Dillashaw

Leading up to his UFC 199 title shot against Dominick Cruz, Urijah Faber had some rather inflammatory comments regarding his former teammates PED-use.

“I fought TJ Dillashaw for 8 years, every day. Dude, I’d smoke TJ Dillashaw. He looks like a prepubescent little teenager right now because USADA came in.”

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Pretty inflammatory comments from someone who first recruited Dillashaw to train with Team Alpha Male. When Dillashaw left with Duane Ludwig to go train in Colorado, it turns out some feelings were hurt. Dillashaw has similarly not been kind to Faber, and once mentioned on Joe Rogan’s podcast that one of Faber’s own cornermen bet against him in a fight.

Urijah Faber, TJ Dillashaw, Duane Ludwig, Cody Gardbrandt and the rest of the Team Alpha Male/Team Elevation feud in the UFC men’s bantamweight division sometimes feels more like pro wrestling than MMA. Then Dominick Cruz just sits above them all, knowing he can beat any of them so long as he doesn’t pick up another injury.

Dillashaw is 2W-1L since USADA testing began.

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Ian is a MMA writer based out of Toronto, ON Canada. An avid mixed martial arts enthusiast and passionate fan since he was born, Ian has been writing about mixed martial arts for over 5 years.