Fighters react to UFC-USADA split

There’s a lot of groundbreaking news coming out of the UFC of late and their split from USADA is right up there with the most shocking.

In the midst of the wild Conor McGregor saga, USADA announced that they would be parting ways with the MMA promotion in 2024. According to the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s CEO, Travis Tygart, the UFC ended their partnership with the anti-doping company after having a disagreement on the Irishman’s special treatment.

Following the announcement of their split, it wasn’t only the fans who were shaken by the news. Some of the very best mixed martial artists had their say on the ongoing situation, sharing their very different opinions.

Most fighters made light of the matter and posted hilarious tweets in relation to the fallout.

No more Usada?
Fighters until December fighters in January pic.twitter.com/euyI3pmDCw

— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) October 11, 2023

Only fighters replay…. If usada is gone… you taking the juice !? Be honest mofo… #usada #ufc

— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) October 11, 2023

You guys…. did you hear?!? Were all gonna be juiced up soon!!!!!!!! Lmao…. #USADA Any recommendations? I’m kinda new at this….

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) October 12, 2023

This is googles recommendation… @TJDillashaw yo I’m gonna give you a call.. pic.twitter.com/Qvq7f8y4zK

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) October 12, 2023

See you guys in January 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/MR3r6RT0Dt

— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) October 11, 2023

Anyone have Brock Lesnar’s #?

— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) October 11, 2023

Atleast I don’t have to hold my piss when I wake up early

— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) October 11, 2023

Others shared rather mixed reviews on the news. Jon Jones led the pack of those who were happy to see the backend of the partnership, while others aired their frustration at the separation.

Man I survived USADA. First they said I was guilty of having picograms, then they considered me innocent, next picograms became legal. Guess what I’m still here, still unbeaten. That BS no contest over DC needs to be taken off my record. I’ve never cheated this sport and I will…

— BONY (@JonnyBones) October 12, 2023

I was trying to get that usada jacket tho. Wtf.

— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) October 11, 2023

Everyone that’s excited to get on PED’s in the post-USADA era are about to get some shitty news. Stay tuned 🤐🤐🤐

— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) October 12, 2023

I was in the UFC before USADA, and I’ll be in the UFC after USADA. Nothing changes

— Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) October 12, 2023

Related: Jon Jones reacts to UFC-USADA split, remove DC No Contest

I heard Usada is going out. I’m so sad at this point to celebrate anything

— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) October 12, 2023

USADA was the official anti-doping agency in the UFC for eight years. Since their initial involvement in 2015, many fighters have had problems with the company for their less-than-impressive testing timing.

Not too long ago, Paulo Costa lashed out at USADA for waking him up at 6 a.m. and issued a blood test despite the Brazilian being in the process of cutting weight during fight week. There have been many other instances in which fighters weren’t happy with the drug testing program and that will now come to an end on January 1, 2024.

What caused the broken negotiations between UFC and USADA?

The UFC has been less than happy with a number of antics that were pulled by USADA on their fighters, but it seems the breaking point came during Conor McGregor‘s supposed return to the octagon.

‘The Notorious’ has been trying to return to action for the majority of 2023 but as he was out of the anti-doping agency’s testing pool, he was ineligible. McGregor felt hard done by and ultimately forced the UFC to make a choice.

During a revealing interview, USADA CEO Travis Tygart insisted that the Dublin native has to abide by the same rules everybody else has to in order to compete. It seems the UFC didn’t agree with this, forcing Tygart to speak out.

“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.”