On October 12, 2023, USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart issued a statement regarding their future with the UFC. He announced that their partnership with UFC will be ending by the end of the year. Furthermore, he questioned the integrity of the UFC regarding the six-month rule in the case of Conor McGregor. UFC CEO, Dana White has finally addressed these remarks.
USADA has just announced that their business relationship with the UFC will come to an end on 12/31.
Furthermore, USADA CEO Travis Tygart issued a pretty scathing press release on the end of an often-complicated almost decade-long relationship. pic.twitter.com/ZaPwtCg6g5
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 11, 2023
In an interview with Pat MacAfee, Dana White defined the announcement made by USADA as “straight-up scumbagism“. Dana was not happy with the way USADA handled the McGregor situation. He addressed his frustration by saying that their deal with USADA is up at the end of the year and they are working on going in another direction, “especially after the dirty scumbag move” made by USADA.
Dana White informed McAfee that the SVP of Athlete Health and Performance, Jeff Novitzky, and UFC EVP, Hunter Campbell will be addressing the situation.
Dana White and the UFC accused USADA of defamation
Dana White was clearly very furious with USADA for their comments regarding the integrity of the UFC. “The you know what is about to hit the fan,” claimed Dana on Pat MacAfee’s talk show. Hunter Campbell & Jeff Novitzky issued their statement on the issue during a press conference.
The UFC EVP claimed that whatever USADA has put out in the last 48 hours is “farther from the truth“. Dana White & the UFC also claimed that they will be taking legal action against USADA. In the press conference, Campbell confirmed this by confirming that they had served a legal letter to USADA.
Dana White & the UFC also went on to accuse the testing agency of defamation regarding their statement on the Conor McGregor situation. In the statement, USADA went on to blame both Conor & UFC announcer Joe Rogan for the end of the partnership.
Dana White on testing: We would still pay an independent company, it’s the best way to do it… pic.twitter.com/MIPppmnMxP
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) October 12, 2023
Dana also confirmed that they will still pay an independent testing company because he feels that it’s the best way to do it. Campbell & Novitsky confirmed that they will continue the anti-doping program with an organization called Drug Free Sports International (DSFI).
DSFI has 24+ years of experience with some of the biggest organizations like the NBA, FIFA, NFL, MLB & NCCA. Furthermore, it was announced that former FBI special agent, George Piro will serve as the independent administrator of the UFC anti-doping program from next year.
What do think about the decision of UFC to move on from USADA? Do let us know in the comments below.