Unexpected change! The UFC breaks with the anti-doping agency USADA. McGregor in the lead role?

The UFC is virtually the only organization in the MMA world that has a full-fledged anti-doping program. This was under the umbrella of USADA. But that’s over. Dana White hasn’t commented on the situation, but we did get a statement from the anti-doping agency.

Big news in the world of MMA. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has announced that Conor McGregor has been placed on an anti-doping program, meaning he could fight in six months.

Because the rules are clear. If a fighter wants to fight, he must be clean six months before the fight and pass two tests that come out negative. In addition, USADA has the right to keep fighters out longer than that.

However, the UFC stands to have McGregor fight sooner. The goal was for him to fight at the end of the year. However, with USADA’s rules, this is virtually unrealistic, although one exception has been made in the past.

That’s probably what’s behind the big move the UFC has committed to. That’s because USADA announced on Wednesday that the two brands’ partnership will end at the end of 2023 when the current contract expires.

This was confirmed by Travis Tygart, the CEO of USADA. Negotiations for a new contract were ongoing, only for the best MMA organization on the planet to decide to end the partnership. Starring McGregor? Quite possibly.

“Unfortunately, we don’t know if the UFC will meet the six-month or longer deadline on Conor McGregor’s stoppage, as we will not be participating in the organization’s anti-doping program as of January 1, 2024,” MMA Fighting quotes a statement from USADA .

Back in May, negotiations were said to be positive, however, on Monday, October 9, the UFC was expected to turn around as it wants to go in a different direction. USADA then feels aggrieved. The relationship was said to be untenable after UFC leaders or commentators began to question the anti-doping agency’s principles.

“The long-term health and safety of fighters or a fair and level playing field are more important to USADA than short-term gains at the expense of clean sport. We’re proud of the work we’ve done in the UFC for eight years,” Tygart said.

Source: MMA Fighting, USADA