In a dispute involving former champion Conor McGregor, the UFC is cutting ties with the USADA and establishing its own drug-testing programme.
The mixed martial arts organisation additionally demanded a retraction and an apology from USADA for a statement it made on Wednesday regarding the termination of its contract with the UFC.
Usada CEO Travis Tygart said in a message to the Associated Press, “We stand by our statement and our credibility.”
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New Drug Testing Program For UFC
As part of the new initiative, which starts in January when the UFC’s contract with Usada expires, Drug Free Sport International will be in control of the collecting procedure. The new programme will be overseen by former FBI special agent George Piro, who is best known for questioning former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Usada made the announcement on Wednesday that it was ending its eight-year partnership with the UFC due to a disagreement over McGregor. UFC representatives stated during a news conference on Thursday that Usada was notified of the breakup on Monday.
While acknowledging that the UFC informed his organisation of its departure on Monday, Tygart claimed that the two organisations had “a positive and productive meeting about a contract renewal” in May.
This week, McGregor announced on social media that he was going back to the Usada testing facility, which is a prerequisite for going back into competition. The 35-year-old McGregor wanted to face Michael Chandler in December, but Usada demands six months of testing and at least two clean drug tests.
According to UFC officials, McGregor was not slated to compete in December and would participate in a testing regimen that met the required standards before returning to the octagon. Since hurting his leg in July 2021, McGregor has not engaged in combat.
Usada signed its first agreement with a domestic professional sport in 2015 when it collaborated with the UFC. The agency is primarily recognised for its work with Olympic sports.
Numerous organisations, including the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, and the NCAA, are among Drug Free Sport International’s many clients.
