USADA CEO drops worrisome message toward end of anti-doping test partnership with UFC

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The CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Tavis Tygart, signified recently that their contract with the UFC ends in the first of January, but there might be accusations against the UFC hidden in the announcement.

Both companies started working together in 2015, and the anti-doping agency has been nothing less than world-class. News of their imminent separation appeared when it was unexpected, and the final words of USADA CEO Travis Tygart seem to say that the UFC might have tried to negotiate a compromise.

‘Fighters’ long-term health and safety –­ in addition to a fair and level playing field – are more important to USADA than short-term profits at the expense of clean athletes. USADA is proud of the work we’ve done over the past eight years to clean up the UFC, and we will continue to provide our unparalleled service to UFC athletes through the remainder of our current contract, which ends December 31, 2023,’ unveiled CEO Travis Tygart. ‘As always, we will continue to uphold the rights and voices of clean athletes in all sport.’

In the statement, the CEO revealed that their stance in the case of UFC superstar Connor McGregor remains that he should follow due process before returning to the octagon.

‘We have been clear and firm with the UFC that there should be no exception given by the UFC for McGregor to fight until he has returned two negative tests and been in the pool for at least six months. The rules also allow USADA to keep someone in the testing pool longer before competing based on their declarations upon entry in the pool and testing results.

‘Unfortunately, we do not currently know whether the UFC will ultimately honor the six-month or longer requirement because, as of January 1, 2024, USADA will no longer be involved with the UFC Anti-Doping Program.

‘Despite a positive and productive meeting about a contract renewal in May 2023, the UFC did an about-face and informed USADA on Monday, October 9, that it was going in a different direction.’

Did the UFC try to make USADA go against due protocol? Is the following statement a declaration of lack of confidence in UFC CEO Dana White’s integrity when it concerns only featuring clean stars?

‘We are disappointed for UFC athletes, who are independent contractors who rely on our independent, gold-standard global program to protect their rights to a clean, safe, and fair Octagon,’ USADA’s CEO continued. ‘The UFC’s move imperils the immense progress made within the sport under USADA’s leadership.

‘The relationship between USADA and UFC became untenable given the statements made by UFC leaders and others questioning USADA’s principled stance that McGregor not be allowed to fight without being in the testing pool for at least six months.

‘One UFC commentator echoed this, recently declaring that USADA should not oversee the UFC program since we held firm to the six-month rule involving McGregor, and since we do not allow fighters without an approved medical basis to use performance-enhancing drugs like experimental, unapproved peptides or testosterone for healing or injuries simply to get back in the Octagon.’

Whatever the case, it is understandable that the only party that stands to lose more in the coming separation is USADA, since the UFC will get another company they like to fill the chair.

Maybe Travis Tygart was trying to cause fans and some superstars to protest against the UFC’s decision and force them to restore ‘tested and trusted USADA’. He might succeed.