The UFC’s partnership with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) was one of the most significant steps in the promotion’s ongoing effort to ensure fair competition and athlete safety. Established in 2015, this collaboration introduced a comprehensive anti-doping program designed to uphold the integrity of the sport and maintain a level playing field for all fighters. Under the terms of this partnership, USADA was responsible for testing UFC athletes both in and out of competition, ensuring fighters adhere to strict anti-doping regulations.

Under USADA’s watchful eyes, Fighters were subjected to random drug testing, and any positive tests for banned substances faced significant penalties, including suspensions and fines. This led to a heightened focus on clean sport within the UFC, with an emphasis on educating fighters on the risks of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). However, in October 2023, the UFC and USADA decided to part ways after December of that year, and on January 1, the promotion was partnered with Drug Free Sport International (DFSI).

According to the UFC website, the new testing agency is no different from its predecessor in terms of testing its athletes. According to the UFC website, “All UFC athletes are subject to no-notice, 24/7/365 testing anywhere in the world. All contracted UFC athletes are enrolled in the program.” Fairly recently, Reddit’s ‘r/ufc’ shared statistics on their handle regarding the most drug-tested athletes under the UFC roster. The caption of the post read, “Do they not disclose failed tests or has nobody failed? Hmm 🤔 which one is it?”

Kayla Harrison topped the list with 13 official drug tests, followed by Conor McGregor and Arman Tsarukyan, each with 11 tests. Jose Aldo, Marlon Vera, and Oumar Sy ranked next, each undergoing 10 tests, while Merab Dvalishvili and Bruno Aruddo followed with nine tests each.

Conor McGregor currently ranks as the second-most-tested athlete in the UFC, which might seem unusual at first. The key difference here is that, unlike other fighters who were tested during their active fight schedules, McGregor was subjected to testing despite not actually competing in the UFC. This makes him the most frequently tested fighter without having any recent bouts. Let’s see what the fandom thinks about the new testing protocol.

Fans question the UFC testing protocol despite multiple tests being conducted

Here’s the kicker: the intervention by USADA threw a wrench into Dana White‘s plans for another major pay-per-view event featuring Conor McGregor. While McGregor agreed to comply with USADA’s testing protocols, White grew frustrated with the drug-testing agency. In October 2023, UFC CEO Dana White decided it was time to end the partnership, and by January 2024, USADA would no longer be responsible for testing UFC athletes. Let us take a look at what the fans had to say about their testing in 2024.

One of the users pointed out how Jiri Procházka, who was tested 77 times in 2023. However, he seems to have disappeared from the testing radar in 2024, following his knockout losses to Alex Pereira. The drastic shift from being tested frequently to not being tested at all has raised eyebrows and forced him to comment, “Lol, Jiri in 2023: 77 tests. Jiri in 2024 after getting KOd by Alex twice: 0 tests”  One fan questioned the seemingly low amount of testing in 2024, particularly in comparison to previous years. This raises concerns about the consistency and transparency of testing procedures, especially for high-profile athletes, “Am I tripping or is this a insanely low amount of tests for 2024? Wasn’t jiri tested like 60+ times by himself in 20222 lol” 

One user pointed out that with Conor McGregor in the testing pool, it seemed he wanted to make a comeback finally after such a massive gap, “This implies that Conor did intend to fight, at least at one point this year.” Another user pointed out how despite its global reach, hasn’t produced many breakout names which raises some questions about their testing and commented, “Lack of Big Stars in Recent Years”  Kayla Harrison is often regarded as one of the top female fighters in MMA, and she commands respect wherever she goes. Her level of dominance in the sport has earned her the respect of her peers and fans alike. One user reminded that and commented, “Kayla is the type of chick you address as a Sir/Mr out of respect” 

Another user pointed out how Amanda Ribas had a single fight in 2024 but was still tested seven times. This is an interesting statistic because it highlights the frequency of testing for even fighters with minimal activity and commented, “Amanda Ribas had one fight in 2024 but was tested 7 times.” 

In conclusion, the fan reactions highlight a range of concerns and curiosities surrounding the UFC’s testing practices and the broader dynamics of the sport. Ultimately, these reactions point to an ongoing desire for clarity and integrity in how the UFC handles testing, fighter visibility, and the future of the sport. Do you think the UFC was better off with USADA? Let us know in the comments down below.