UFC and USADA parting way; USADA claims “McGregor situation” is the reason

UFC and USADA will part ways in 2024. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports

UFC and the United States Anti-Doping Agency will part ways in 2024.

“We can confirm that Conor McGregor has re-entered the USADA testing pool as of Sunday, October 8, 2023,” USADA CEO Travis Tygart said in a statement.

“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.”

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USADA: “The relationship became untenable”

The two organizations partnered up back in 2015, but now, eight years later, the USADA CEO claimed that the situation with superstar Conor McGregor was one of the reasons that the relationship fell apart.

“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.”

“Fighters’ long-term health and safety —­ in addition to a fair and level playing field — are more important to USADA than short-term profits at the expense of clean athletes.”

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