The UFC has severed ties with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and is considering legal action. The decision was made due to the belief that the UFC can create a more effective anti-doping program. Read more about this development.
| Key Points |
- The UFC has decided to end its partnership with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and is considering legal action.
- The dispute between the UFC and USADA stemmed from Conor McGregor’s status.
- USADA will no longer serve as the UFC’s anti-doping partner starting January 1, 2024.
- UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell accused USADA of defamation and demanded a retraction.
- The UFC will collaborate with Drug Free Sport for future drug-test sample collection.
- Former FBI agent George Piro will oversee the UFC’s anti-doping program as an independent administrator.
- The UFC’s decision to leave USADA was driven by the belief that it can establish a more effective program internally.
The UFC has recently announced its decision to sever ties with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and has even threatened legal action against the organization. This move comes after USADA made a statement regarding the termination of their partnership. The UFC believes that it can develop a more effective program on its own.
The dispute between the UFC and USADA originated from the status of Conor McGregor. In a July interview, UFC President Dana White dismissed the importance of USADA’s opinion on McGregor’s status. McGregor’s return announcement at UFC 296 raised concerns among fans about the integrity and authenticity of USADA. It was revealed that McGregor had not been tested by USADA this year, leading to further controversy. USADA CEO Travis Tygart announced that the agency will no longer serve as the UFC’s anti-doping partner starting January 1, 2024. Tygart stated that the UFC reversed its position due to USADA’s stance on McGregor’s status.
UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell expressed his disappointment with USADA’s treatment of McGregor and accused the organization of defamation. Campbell sent a legal letter to USADA demanding a retraction. Additionally, the UFC announced that it will partner with Drug Free Sport for drug-test sample collection in the future. The UFC’s anti-doping program will be overseen by former FBI agent George Piro as an independent administrator.
The UFC’s decision to part ways with USADA was primarily driven by the belief that it could establish a more effective program internally. USADA had requested $7 million from the UFC for the upcoming year, a figure only slightly higher than what the UFC had been paying for the past eight years. While there were discussions about finances, the UFC ultimately decided to end the partnership in pursuit of a better program.
