USADA Announces Upcoming Separation from UFC Amid Conor McGregor Testing Controversy

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has confirmed Conor McGregor’s return to the drug-testing pool, signaling a potential comeback to the UFC. However, a statement from USADA’s CEO, Travis Tygart, announced that their partnership with the UFC would come to an end on January 1, 2024.

Tygart stated that discussions about a contract renewal took place in May and were initially positive. Still, the UFC reversed its decision and informed USADA on Monday that they were going in a different direction. The UFC had contracted USADA to oversee its anti-doping program since 2015.

Read the full statement from USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart here: https://t.co/3vfuhx5haD pic.twitter.com/MNGgnDN6U6

— USADA (@usantidoping) October 11, 2023

The reason for the breakdown of the relationship between the two organizations is linked to McGregor, the UFC’s marquee star. USADA expressed a commitment to fighters’ long-term health and safety, emphasizing a fair playing field over short-term profits at the expense of clean athletes.

McGregor had removed himself from the USADA drug-testing pool following a leg fracture during a fight against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Under the UFC’s anti-doping policy, managed by USADA, a fighter re-entering the pool must spend a minimum of six months in it and pass two drug tests before competing again. There was an exception to this rule, where the UFC could waive the six-month requirement if it was deemed unfair to the fighter, but the fighter would still need to pass two drug tests.

USADA had maintained in November 2022 that such an exemption did not apply to McGregor. In other words, they insisted on McGregor completing the full six-month testing period.

Tygart noted that the rupture between the two organizations was due to statements made by UFC leaders and others questioning USADA’s stance. This was a direct reference to UFC President Dana White’s interview with TSN in July, where he suggested McGregor might fight before the end of the year, implying that the six-month rule did not apply.

Tygart also referred to UFC color commentator Joe Rogan’s comments about bringing drug-testing in-house. Rogan had expressed concerns about some of USADA’s regulations, including the six-month rule and the prohibition on fighters using banned substances for healing purposes.

USADA expressed uncertainty about whether the UFC would honor the six-month requirement for McGregor, given that their partnership would cease in 2024. In such a scenario, McGregor could potentially fight before the completion of the six-month period.

USADA expressed disappointment for UFC athletes, highlighting the reliance of independent contractors on their global program for clean, safe, and fair competition. The termination of the partnership is seen as jeopardizing the significant progress achieved in the sport under USADA’s guidance. UFC and McGregor’s team did not immediately respond to requests for comment.