Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold may have jeopardized his upcoming Real American Freestyle debut after openly discussing his use of a prohibited peptide that is explicitly banned under the WADA policy during a recent appearance on The Casuals MMA podcast.
With RAF 05: Covington vs. Rockhold scheduled for January 10, 2026 at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, Rockhold’s admission comes at the worst possible time and could place the Fox Nation televised event, one of the promotion’s most high-profile cards to date, at risk.
In the podcast interview, Rockhold spoke at length about his experience with various recovery compounds, specifically referencing a banned peptide along with other experimental therapies as part of his training and recovery routine.
“Like now, like this all this new science about peptides and everything that’s coming on now,”
Rockhold said, before explaining how he believes these substances function. He described them as an
“ignition”
that
“sends a sensor to the body and it just amplifies what you already have”
, attempting to distinguish them from traditional anabolic substances.
The former UFC champion praised the recovery benefits he claimed to experience.
“You don’t realize how good that stuff is until you actually get into it,”
he said, adding that he felt a noticeable decline in his training once he came off them. He also discussed plans to incorporate similar therapies into a forthcoming social wellness club venture in Newport Beach, suggesting ongoing involvement in peptide-based treatments.
Real American Freestyle has adopted one of combat sports’ most comprehensive PED testing frameworks, following the WADA Prohibited List and working in conjunction with the USADA. Under RAF policy, all athletes competing under the banner must comply without reservation or condition. The peptide referenced by Rockhold is classified under WADA’s S0 category of unapproved things. According to USADA guidance, it is prohibited at all times, both in and out of competition.
While limited research has explored its use in inflammatory bowel disease and soft tissue healing, the agency notes a lack of published clinical trial conclusions, with some studies reportedly discontinued without results.
Under RAF’s anti-doping policy, violations extend beyond use to include possession and distribution. Responsibility rests entirely with the athlete, as outlined in the policy statement:
“Wrestlers are responsible for ensuring no banned substances or methods enter their bodies, intentionally or otherwise.”
Rockhold’s public comments, combined with his apparent promotion of these therapies and business plans involving them, could prompt action from RAF’s Integrity Committee.
The timing is especially problematic. With RAF 05 less than three weeks away, the promotion faces uncertainty surrounding a major crossover attraction between Rockhold and Colby Covington.
RAF allegedly conducts both in-competition and out-of-competition testing, including random and targeted testing, and requires urine samples after each bout. Athletes may be tested at any point during their contract period. If Rockhold is currently using the peptide during preparation for the January contest, he would be in direct violation of policy.
