The dispute between UFC and USADA keeps growing as UFC takes legal action against USADA. Their conflict began when USADA’s CEO Travis Tygart stated that their partnership with UFC would end on December 31, 2023.
Travis Tygart described the partnership with the UFC as “untenable.” Tygart highlighted concerns about Conor McGregor‘s reintegration into the testing program.
Tygart said that they stood firm on the six-month rule applying to everyone, including Conor McGregor. This didn’t sit well with UFC and they seem unhappy about external influence, suggesting that rules should be consistent for all athletes, he added.
Read the full statement from USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart here: https://t.co/3vfuhx5haD pic.twitter.com/MNGgnDN6U6
— USADA (@usantidoping) October 11, 2023
USADA has stated that McGregor must undergo six months in the drug-testing pool before being eligible to compete in the UFC again. McGregor had voluntarily withdrawn from the pool following his leg injury during a fight in July 2021.
UFC’s Chief Business Officer, Hunter Campbell, mentioned during a press conference on Thursday that he sent an official letter to USADA on Wednesday evening. In the letter, he accused USADA of making defamatory statements and requested them to retract their statements and issue an apology by 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Campbell said that no UFC representative ever reached out to USADA and told anything about Conor McGregor other than Conor would re-enter the program when he is healthy. He added that Conor would be required to be in the testing pool for 6 months. There would be no exceptions.
The Senior Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance for the UFC, Jeff Novitzky said that the statement made by Tygart and USADA was “a complete misrepresentation” and “couldn’t be further from the truth”. Also in that interview, Campbell and Novitzky revealed that starting next year, Drug Free Sport will handle the collection of drug-test samples for the UFC.
Additionally, former FBI agent George Piro will oversee the UFC’s anti-doping program as an independent administrator. USADA’s Travis Tygart put out a statement on ESPN following the news conference saying “We stand by our statement and our credibility.”
Dana White reacts to UFC-USADA dispute
Dana White in his interview on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN MMA said that what USADA did was a “dirty move“. He added that UFC will still pay an independent company to do their drug testing because “it’s the best way to do it.”
White added that they have established a certain standard, but many are displeased with USADA. The contract of USADA expires at year-end, and UFC is actively exploring alternative options—especially after the “dirty, scumbag move” they (USADA) made yesterday.