Sean Strickland, UFC fighters react to the surprising USADA news
By Amy Kaplan
On Wednesday, Oct. 12, the United States Doping Agency announced it would no longer be an active partner with the UFC starting on Jan. 1, 2024, and Conor McGregor is partly to blame.
USADA CEO Travis Tygart issued a very clear statement about why the partnership fell apart.
"We can confirm that Conor McGregor has re-entered the USADA testing pool as of Sunday, October 8, 2023," Tygart said in his statement. "We have been clear and firm with the UFC that there should be no exception given by the UFC for McGregor to fight until he has returned two negative tests and been in the pool for at least six months."
McGregor and USADA were in a public battle earlier this year over the six-month waiting period which McGregot felt he could skip. USADA made it clear ... he could not.
But what about all the fighters outside of McGregor? How do they feel about this massive change in the system?
Sean Strickland joked that 'we're all gonna be juiced up' after USADA news
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland joked that he's be giving former champion TJ Dillashaw a call after USADA news.
"This is googles recommendation... [TJ Dillashaw] yo I'm gonna give you a call," he tweeted along with a screenshot about Stanozolol, a steroid that is "not detected in urine."
Dillashaw was formerly flagged and served a suspension under the USADA program for EPO.
Strickland also joked, "You guys.... did you hear?!? Were all gonna be juiced up soon!!!!!!!! Lmao.... Any recommendations? I'm kinda new at this...."
This is googles recommendation... @TJDillashaw yo I'm gonna give you a call.. pic.twitter.com/Qvq7f8y4zK
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) October 12, 2023
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
Other fighters took to social media to react as well.
I was in the UFC before USADA, and I’ll be in the UFC after USADA. Nothing changes
— Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) October 12, 2023
Only fighters replay…. If usada is gone… you taking the juice !? Be honest mofo… #usada #ufc
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) October 11, 2023
This might be the best picture that has existed of me… post USADA billy the squid 🦑😂😂😂 https://t.co/RBQobyViJ9
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) October 12, 2023
Soooo I can delete my whereabouts app for USADA?
— Ramiz Brahimaj (@170Ramiz) October 11, 2023
Me in January after USADA goes away 👀 pic.twitter.com/auX8CaJcV7
— Chase Hooper (@chase_hooper) October 11, 2023
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
I’m sure the #UFC has a plan of action in place for when #USADA vacates the organization. What that is we will find out soon enough.
— Ode' ⭕️sbourne 🇯🇲 (@OdeOsbourne) October 12, 2023
With all this USADA talk going on.. We know there is a certain group of guys who played by the rules, and a major group that didn't/doesn’t .. and now that the rules are somewhat unknown .. at least there’s some potential for a level playing field..
— Kyle Daukaus (@KyleDaukaus) October 12, 2023
I’ve had 22 USADA tests, and 6 commission tests. I want my T-Shirt @usantidoping
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) October 11, 2023
I was trying to get that usada jacket tho. Wtf.
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) October 11, 2023
No more Usada?
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) October 11, 2023
Fighters until December fighters in January pic.twitter.com/euyI3pmDCw
Have they said what organization? Before usada it was athletic commissions and you’d only get tested night of fight. There’s no athletic commission in a lot of the world https://t.co/GAKDurCuaf
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) October 12, 2023
🤯 W I L D ……..
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) October 11, 2023
Honey, call a doctor…the cool kind https://t.co/97at0zqSoL
— Bill Algeo (@ElSenorPerfecto) October 11, 2023
Atleast I don’t have to hold my piss when I wake up early
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) October 11, 2023
So many crazy things today!
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) October 11, 2023
Wait so is everyone taking steroids starting in January?
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) October 11, 2023
Anyone have Brock Lesnar’s #?
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) October 11, 2023
TRT KG unlocked ‼️
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) October 11, 2023
See you guys in January 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/MR3r6RT0Dt
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) October 11, 2023
Ufc without Usada?!
— Amanda Ribas (@amandaribasufc) October 11, 2023
What do you guys think about it?
There's no update about what will happen next but we do know that all fighters flagged in the next three months will still be punished and USADA believes any sanction will carry on beyond Jan. 1 and will be upheld by individual state athletic commissions.
Next. UFC rules explained. dark