USADA stands by initial statement as UFC vows legal action - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — The UFC has threatened legal action against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency following a statement USADA made Wednesday announcing an end to the partnership between the two organizations.

UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell said at a news conference Thursday that he sent a legal letter to USADA on Wednesday night accusing it of defamation and demanding that it issue a retraction and apology by 5 p.m. Thursday.

Campbell and UFC executive Jeff Novitzky also announced Thursday that the UFC will use Drug Free Sport to collect drug-test samples beginning next year and the UFC's anti-doping program will be led by former FBI agent George Piro as an independent administrator.

In USADA's release Wednesday, CEO Travis Tygart issued a statement saying that the agency will cease being the UFC's anti-doping partner beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Tygart wrote that the UFC did an «about-face» on their relationship Monday due to USADA's stance on the status of Conor McGregor.

USADA has maintained that McGregor should spend six months in the drug-testing pool before being able to compete again in the UFC. McGregor removed himself from the pool after breaking his leg in a July 2021 fight.

The UFC's anti-doping policy says a fighter must spend six months in the pool and pass two drug tests before competing. The UFC, though, can grant an exception to the six-month rule if the belief is it would be unfair to the athlete.

Tygart said in the statement that the relationship between the UFC and USADA became «untenable» due to the situation with McGregor, the UFC's star.

In an interview with TSN in July, UFC president Dana White said, «Who cares what USADA says?» in reference to McGregor's status.

«Fighters' long-term health and safety —