For years, fighters with 50 clean drug tests got a nice jacket and a high-five from the UFC’s anti-doping czar.
With the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and UFC ending their partnership in January after eight years, they were left wondering what was next – and what about those jackets?
On Wednesday, USADA announced the end of the partnership. In an uncharacteristic stroke of candor, the anti-doping agency said the partnership became “untenable” over the return of Conor McGregor, who today announced his return to the USADA-administered drug testing pool after leaving it while recovering from a broken leg suffered at UFC 264.
Here’s how fighters reacted to the news on Wednesday.
Wait so is everyone taking steroids starting in January?
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) October 11, 2023
yall bout to start seeing some super athletes lol
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouse) October 11, 2023
I was trying to get that usada jacket tho. Wtf.
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) October 11, 2023
No more Usada?
Fighters until December fighters in January pic.twitter.com/euyI3pmDCw— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) October 11, 2023
This is crazy what a shit show! https://t.co/BFbjHgIxwG
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) 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
I’ve had 22 USADA tests, and 6 commission tests. I want my T-Shirt @usantidoping
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) October 11, 2023
So many crazy things today!
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) October 11, 2023
Conor killed USADA, holy shit
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) October 11, 2023
Wild
Volks the
Usman is a badass
UFC X USADA is no more https://t.co/3xFe5n2Ida
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) October 11, 2023
Atleast I don’t have to hold my piss when I wake up early
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) October 11, 2023