Breaking news are coming from the mixed martial arts (MMA) world – as USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) has announced that it will no longer oversee the UFC’s anti-doping program.
The news were shared last Wednesday, with a statement coming from USADA CEO Travis Tygar – after USADA confirmed Conor McGregor had officially re-entered the drug-testing pool following a long absence from the program:
We can confirm that Conor McGregor has re-entered the USADA testing pool as of Sunday, October 8, 2023.
We have been clear and firm with the UFC that there should be no exception given by the UFC for McGregor to fight until he has returned two negative tests and been in the pool for at least six months.
The rules also allow USADA to keep someone in the testing pool longer before competing based on their declarations upon entry in the pool and testing results.
Unfortunately, we do not currently know whether the UFC will ultimately honor the six-month or longer requirement because, as of January 1, 2024, USADA will no longer be involved with the UFC Anti-Doping Program.
Tygart further shared his disappointment:
We are disappointed for UFC athletes, who are independent contractors who rely on our independent, gold-standard global program to protect their rights to a clean, safe, and fair Octagon.
The UFC’s move imperils the immense progress made within the sport under USADA’s leadership.
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