UFC Parts Ways With USADA Over Conor McGregor Situation

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has decided to end its partnership with the United States Anti-Doping Agency starting January 2024.

USADA has been the UFC’s independent drug testing partner since 2015. However, things have now seemingly turned sour over the mandatory testing window for former two-division champ Conor McGregor’s return to action. According to USADA CEO Travis Tygart, the relationship with the UFC became “untenable” over recent comments made by the promotion's leaders and one commentator. Tygart was likely referring to popular podcaster and longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan, who recently called for the promotion to cut ties with USADA over the six-month testing window and ban on certain peptides. Tygart said in a written statement:

“The relationship between USADA and UFC became untenable given the statements made by UFC leaders and others questioning USADA’s principled stance that McGregor not be allowed to fight without being in the testing pool for at least six months. One UFC commentator echoed this, recently declaring that USADA should not oversee the UFC program since we held firm to the six-month rule involving McGregor, and since we do not allow fighters without an approved medical basis to use performance-enhancing drugs like experimental, unapproved peptides or testosterone for healing or injuries simply to get back in the Octagon.”

Although McGregor recently entered the testing pool, Tygart was unsure if the Irishman will undergo a six-month testing period as USADA will cease to be the UFC’s testing partner starting Jan. 1, 2024. Tygart also claimed that the Las Vegas-based promotion reversed its stance on Oct. 9 despite having a “positive and productive meeting” in May about a contract renewal.

Current policy requires that a fighter have at least two negative drug screenings and be in the testing pool for a minimum of six months before competing. The last time the promotion sought and obtained an exemption from that policy for a high-profile fighter was at UFC 200 in 2016, when WWE star and former UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar returned to the Octagon for the first time in nearly five years to face Mark Hunt. Lesnar defeated Hunt in a dominant performance, then failed the postfight drug screening, leading the result to be overturned to a no contest. Hunt subsequently, unsuccessfully sued the promotion for negligence.

UFC commentator Brendan Fitzgerald said via social media that drug testing will continue to be undertaken by another third party. He also hinted that McGregor re-entered the pool intending to undergo a six-month testing period.