Yahoo Sports ‘What a sh*t show’: UFC fighters react to end of USADA anti-doping partnership
The MMA community was shaken on Wednesday when the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced its partnership with the UFC will expire at the end of the year.
After much speculation about how Conor McGregor’s anticipated return to the octagon would come to fruition given the standards of the anti-doping agreement, USADA declared its relationship with UFC had become “untenable,” and negotiations around a new deal fizzled.
It’s unknown whether the UFC will sign with a new anti-doping partner or return to commission oversight. Regardless, the UFC-USADA deal has hit its shelf life after eight years.
The news came as a stunner to many fighters, who shared their reactions on social media. Check them out below.
MMA Junkie
UFC and USADA will terminate their anti-doping partnership after differences surrounding Conor McGregor made the relationship "untenable."
Full story: https://t.co/ChQoL4qepB pic.twitter.com/485snUJ5dg
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 11, 2023
Brendan Fitzgerald
USADA just lost a big client and a lot of money, so they’re a bit salty.
UFC drug program remains in place… just not paying a middle man.
— Brendan Fitzgerald (@BrendanFitzTV) October 11, 2023
Demetrious Johnson
yall bout to start seeing some super athletes lol
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouse) October 11, 2023
USADA
Read the full statement from USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart here: https://t.co/3vfuhx5haD pic.twitter.com/MNGgnDN6U6
— USADA (@usantidoping) October 11, 2023
Caposa
This is the best news ever. Happy for the fighters. They've made their lives a living fucking hell. https://t.co/FXQJnTf1Mb
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) October 11, 2023
Alan Jouban
So many crazy things today!
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) October 11, 2023
Brian Kelleher
Wait so is everyone taking steroids starting in January?
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) October 11, 2023
Chase Hooper
Damn… they better give me my fucking t-shirt. You’re supposed to get one after you pass 25 tests, and I just did my 23rd one in August. Why else am I peeing in cups for these that dudes show up unannounced at 6 in the morning if I’m not at least getting a t-shirt out of it??? 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/niMVSrzKIX
— Chase Hooper (@chase_hooper) October 11, 2023
Billy Quarantillo
What does this mean for fighters thooo 👀 https://t.co/RLk81OdtqX
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) October 11, 2023
Ramiz Brahimaj
Soooo I can delete my whereabouts app for USADA?
— Ramiz Brahimaj (@170Ramiz) October 11, 2023
Kevin Holland
I was trying to get that usada jacket tho. Wtf.
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) October 11, 2023
Matt Brown
This is crazy what a shit show! https://t.co/BFbjHgIxwG
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) October 11, 2023
Renato Moicano
Only fighters replay…. If usada is gone… you taking the juice !? Be honest mofo… #usada #ufc
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) October 11, 2023
Cody Durden
I’ve had 22 USADA tests, and 6 commission tests. I want my T-Shirt @usantidoping
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) October 11, 2023
Gilbert Burns
No more Usada?
Fighters until December fighters in January pic.twitter.com/euyI3pmDCw— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) October 11, 2023
Brendan Schaub
Yesssssss no USADA starting Jan 1st 2024. Let the games begin. 😈 https://t.co/P08ziBgCtn
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) October 11, 2023
Chase Hooper
Me in January after USADA goes away 👀 pic.twitter.com/auX8CaJcV7
— Chase Hooper (@chase_hooper) October 11, 2023
