The UFC has announced that it will continue its anti-doping program under a new partnership with Drug Free Sport International starting in 2024, after ending its partnership with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The decision came after a disagreement over whether UFC star Conor McGregor should be granted an exemption from the required six-month testing window. The UFC has been working with USADA since 2015 and will continue to run the anti-doping program until the end of the year. Drug Free Sport International has been involved in anti-doping programs for over two decades and works with various sports organizations.
The relationship between the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the UFC has deteriorated, with the UFC deciding not to renew its contract with the USADA for its anti-doping program. The breakdown began when UFC CEO Dana White dismissed the USADA's assertion that Conor McGregor needed to enroll in the program for six months before fighting. USADA CEO Travis Tygart believes the UFC's decision is financially motivated and speculates that the promotion will hire a less credible firm to handle drug testing. Despite criticism, Tygart emphasizes the USADA's contribution to clean sport and its support from the majority of fighters. The USADA will continue its work in MMA through the PFL.
Conor McGregor is expected to rejoin the UFC's anti-doping program for drug testing ahead of his next fight against Michael Chandler later this year. Under the UFC's anti-doping program rules, fighters who retire or remove themselves from the testing pool must undergo six months of drug testing before being allowed to compete again. McGregor suffered a devastating broken leg in his previous outing against Dustin Poirier in 2021 and subsequently withdrew from the USADA drug testing pool.
