The declaration that the UFC would no longer be continuing its USADA drug testing program as of January 1st, 2024, caused quite a stir earlier this month. The news of the return of combat sports sensation Conor McGregor to the UFC’s tested athlete pool was first made public by USADA in a press release.
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While USADA pretended that the two businesses were at odds over McGregor’s withdrawal from the program—apparently so he could seek alternative treatment for the broken leg he sustained against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 back in 2021—it was soon disclosed that the UFC had decided not to extend its contract with the drug testing organization during a conference call with USADA CEO Travis Tygart.
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The Future Of UFC Athlete’s Drug Testing
While Novitzky and Campbell shared some specifics about what the organization planned for the future of drug testing in the UFC, several UFC athletes recently sent out an email with a more detailed description of what’s to come.
The key message that the UFC appears to be trying to convey to its competitors is that the program will mostly stay the same as it is now. The UFC will continue to use the same list of prohibited substances that USADA was using, and it will continue to conduct random drug testing every day of the year. The statement “The program’s rules will generally remain the same and will be publicly posted in advance of the transition” is the only one that alluded to possible future policy changes.
The promotion has appointed George Piro, a former high-ranking FBI agent, to head the program and allegedly have “all decision-making authority.” The purpose of Piro’s appointment is to mimic the USADA’s process of determining fines and sanctions for athletes found guilty of doping violations. Piro has a long career in law enforcement, despite the fact that he doesn’t appear to have any experience with PEDs or sports.
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