October 12, (THEWILL) – The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has announced it will end its agreement to conduct drug testing for UFC fighters as of January 1, 2024. USADA CEO, Travis Tygart, said the decision came after a dispute with the MMA promotion over whether star Conor McGregor should be granted an exemption from the typical six-month testing requirement before returning from injury.
McGregor, a former two-division champion, has not fought since breaking his leg in July 2021. After spending over a year outside USADA’s testing pool while recovering, McGregor recently re-entered but wished to compete again before completing the mandated six months of testing. USADA said it told the UFC that allowing McGregor to return early would end their relationship.
“Despite a positive meeting about a contract renewal in May 2023, the UFC did an about-face and informed USADA on Monday, 9 October that it was going in a different direction,” said Tygart. He called the partnership “untenable” if exceptions were granted.
The UFC and USADA first partnered in 2015 to bring independent drug testing to the sport. McGregor, winner of just one fight since January 2020, is expected to face Michael Chandler in his return bout. Yet, it remains unclear if he will be granted the testing exemption to compete before April.
Tygart acknowledged McGregor had rejoined the testing pool but said USADA was “clear and firm” that he should not get special treatment. The UFC has yet to indicate if it will honour the six-month requirement with USADA departing.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
