The UFC is considering legal action against USADA after accusations of defamation and misrepresentations were made by USADA CEO Travis Tygart, leading to the end of their partnership and the announcement of a new partnership with Drug Free Sport in 2024.
The UFC’s long-standing partnership with USADA may be headed for legal action. Hunter Campbell, the UFC’s chief business officer, issued a threat of legal action against USADA following recent statements made by the drug-testing organization’s CEO, Travis Tygart. Campbell accused USADA of defamation and demanded a formal apology due to what he deemed as “disturbing … material misrepresentations.” In response to these developments, the UFC announced plans to partner with Drug Free Sport in 2024 and appointed former FBI agent George Piro as the new independent administrator of their drug-testing and anti-doping program.
Tygart’s statement earlier in the week revealed that the partnership with USADA will end in December 2023, citing a breakdown in the relationship between USADA and the UFC. Tygart claimed that UFC executives voiced discontent with USADA’s stance on Conor McGregor‘s eligibility to fight without being in the testing pool for at least six months. Campbell and Novitzky vehemently disagreed with Tygart’s characterization, asserting that McGregor would only fight once he had completed the six-month testing period, regardless of clean tests.
Campbell criticized Tygart’s statements as a self-preservation tactic, suggesting that the UFC’s decision to part ways with USADA holds significant financial implications for the drug-testing organization. He accused USADA of using McGregor as a media vehicle to advance a false narrative, referring to their handling of the situation as unethical and disturbing. Tygart responded to the allegations by reasserting USADA’s credibility and standing by their original statement.
Although the UFC expressed gratitude for USADA’s work throughout their eight-year partnership, the relationship between the two organizations is expected to be complicated in the coming months. The UFC has already made plans to transition to Drug Free Sport in 2024 and has appointed George Piro as the new administrator of their anti-doping program.