SUMMARY
- USADA concludes its eight-year collaboration with the UFC, citing differences in approach as the reason.
- A glance at the most tested UFC athletes of 2023—Ariane Carnelossi, Sharabutdin Magomedov, Jon Jones, Charles Johnson, and Paulo Costa.
As 2023 comes to an end for UFC with big title changes and controversies one that surely be the most influential and talked about would be the separation of the United States Anti-Doping Agency. In a statement issued by USADA in October, it announced that its partnership with the Elite MMA organization would come to an end effective January 1, 2024.
Both organizations started being associated together in 2015. The anti-drug agency had conducted over 27,000 tests and highly contributed to cleaning up the scene and leveling the playing field. In the statement made by USADA, it was claimed that the reason for the relationship to end would involve differences in approach and the partnership becoming “untenable.”
“We would still pay an independent company to do the testing because it’s the best way to do it..
Our deal is up at the end of the year and a lot of people aren’t happy with USADA”@danawhite #PMSLive https://t.co/hDom2WAOGn pic.twitter.com/aemNhOVYWq
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 12, 2023
Many believe the separation could involve the return of UFC’s biggest draw Conor McGregor to the octagon in 2024. The fighters are supposed to enter the testing pool six months before their bout and can be tested anytime with urine and blood samples, whether in or out of completion. This made the former double champion ineligible to compete in 2023.
In response, UFC President Dana White became clear in stating his dissatisfaction with the USADA policy and working. In his appearance on the Pat McAfee podcast, White stated that the UFC would be open to tying up with another independent organization to continue its stand against doping. Let’s have a look into who were the most tested UFC fighters in 2023.
Ariane Carnelossi
The Brazilian mixed martial artist competes in the strawweight division of the UFC. She made her debut with the organization at UFC Fight Night 159 losing via TKO against Angela Hill. Her last fight was at UFC 274 against Lupita Godinez losing via decision.
Having last fought in May 2022 the Brazilian strawweight was tested 23 times this year. She had also suffered a slipped disc after her first victory at UFC 261 and had to undergo surgery for the same. Currently, she holds a UFC record of 2 wins and 2 losses with an overall professional MMA record of 14-3.
Sharabutdin Magomedov
The Russian mixed martial artist and Muay Thai kickboxer made his UFC debut this year. The undefeated middleweight surprisingly came under the radar of USADA from his initiation. Having been tested 25 times in his first year with the organization came as a surprise to many. He was one of the most awaited debutants this year holding a reputation for his aggression and skills.
Magomedov holds a professional MMA record of 12 wins with no losses. In his debut at UFC 294 against veteran Bruno Silva he was able to come off with a victory via decision. The Russian suffered from an eye injury in 2016 and had to undergo 8 surgeries for the same. He has only competed once this year.
Jon Jones
One of the less surprising names in the list would be UFC Legend and arguable GOAT Jon “Bones“ Jones. Making his much-anticipated octagon return after 3 years Jones was certain to feel the heat from the anti-doping agency. This would be due to his previous involvement with performance-enhancing drugs and the major controversies involved.
The current Heavyweight Champion has been criticized often for failing drug tests during his career including in events such as UFC 182, 200, 214, and 232. Jones was tested 26 times according to USADA records in 2023. He made a successful return winning the vacant heavyweight championship. After defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in a dominant submission victory.
Charles Johnson
The American Flyweight had a tough year in 2023. Having not only lost 3 fights this year but also being the second most tested fighter with 33 tests involved. The 32-year-old made his debut with the organization at UFC Fight Night 208 losing via decision to Muhammad Mokaev.
With a three-fight losing streak, the Flyweight holds a UFC record of 2-4 and a professional record of 13-6. Although being highly active and fought four times this year Charles wasn’t favored by fate or USADA. Johnson claimed to not be unhappy with his drug testing experience hilariously calling it a proud moment to share the list with UFC Double Champion Jon Jones.
Paulo Costa
Making it to the top of the list would be another surprise in the form of Brazilian mixed martial artist Paulo Costa. The middleweight has been one of the most inactive fighters on the current roster, with no bouts this year, but he still hasn’t failed to draw attention from USADA. With previous displeasures expressed by the Brazilians with the agency policies, the UFC Fighter has been tested 36 times this year.
Costa vocally called out the anti-doping agency after being approached for a drug test in the early morning before his UFC 278 weigh-in. This, according to the Brazilian, caused him trouble due to already undergoing weight-cutting for his fight. The UFC fighter even used his UFC channel to share his experience with his fans and the MMA community.
Having fought five times in the last six years, his last bout was against 38-year-old veteran Luke Rockhold at UFC 278, winning via decision. The UFC Fighter had previously received a six-month ban from USADA and Comissão Atlética Brasileira de MMA (CABMMA) for receiving prohibited intravenous infusions (IV) of more than 100 mL in 12 hours after the weigh-ins.
This included UFC events UFC 212 and UFC 217. The Brazilian was fined one-third of his purse, which was given to his opponents. Also, Lucas Penchel, who provided the infusions, received a two-year ban from USADA. Costa was the second most-tested UFC fighter in 2022, with 20 drug tests, with UFC Light Heavyweight Jiri Prochazka topping the list at 64 drug tests.
Although Paulo didn’t compete this year, he was initially scheduled to fight three times. This included facing middleweight Robert Whittaker at UFC 284, which was denied by Costa, who claimed he never received a contract. Further, he was scheduled to fight Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291 and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. The latter was canceled due to an injury to Costa.
I was submitted to another anti-doping test today. Luckily I marked the correct answer. pic.twitter.com/dJuP80eHKR
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) December 29, 2023
Costa, who is often seen as an internet troll, didn’t shy away from taking a last jab at USADA. In his tweet, the middleweight posted one of his drug test questions. Mockingly claiming to have answered right this time. He is further rescheduled to fight former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 298. The replacement for the UFC is also yet to be revealed.