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
Josh Barnett
Not to mention they knew what contamination looked like in testing, had proof of it through my paying to have supplements tested and confirmed by them purchasing a new, unopened bottle – then went forward to try and ban me for 2+ years.
Beating them and their lawyer who was sent… https://t.co/d6thHersHN
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) October 11, 2023
Ali Abdelaziz
Now you can take everything you want legal and illegal and you will still going to lose, because you have a Chicken heart https://t.co/W4XjdJhWM7
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) October 11, 2023
Brendan Fitzgerald
USADA loved having UFC as a brand name client… because none of the other major leagues use them. So… we’re doing what NFL, NHL, MLB and others already have… pic.twitter.com/uAXcJgHR0q
— Brendan Fitzgerald (@BrendanFitzTV) October 11, 2023
Dan Ige
See you guys in January 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/MR3r6RT0Dt
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) October 11, 2023
Megan Anderson
Wow… this is definitely not a good look at all 👀😬
Is it really that hard to wait 6mo and follow the rules?? https://t.co/mFctRLcgc5
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) October 11, 2023
VADA
@ufc has always needed to be under the Ali Act—now more than ever. They also need a players union like #NFL
— Vada-Testing.org (@Vada_Testing) October 11, 2023
Ant Evans
Now USADA has been kicked to the kerb by UFC, I wonder… well, I kinda hope, if guys like Tom Lawlor and Jon Jones will sue USADA.
USADA's 8year witch-hunt is over, but guys like Bones are forever tainted by their sloppy, bro-science witch hunts.
— Ant Evans (@AntEvansMMA) October 11, 2023
Aaron Bronsteter
With the partnership between USADA and UFC coming to an end, I'm told to expect a new anti-doping program that would likely begin at the start of 2024 to be announced soon.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) October 12, 2023
Jake Shields
UFC has by far the strictest drug testing of any pro sport
Starting in January they will ease their testing to be more in line with football and basketball
Do you think this is a good or bad thing for the UFC
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) October 12, 2023
Casey O'Neill
No usuals does not mean no testing guys! I’m sure the ufc just plans to start working with another company 🤷🏻♀️
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) October 12, 2023
Kelvin Gastelum
TRT KG unlocked ‼️
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) October 11, 2023
Sean Strickland
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
Jon Jones
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
Tyson Nam
I do it all nah chu rallll 💪🏽😁 https://t.co/mOJ4llvqRi
— Tyson Nam (@TysonNam) October 12, 2023
Tim Elliott
I was in the UFC before USADA, and I’ll be in the UFC after USADA. Nothing changes
— Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) October 12, 2023
