Tag: USADA

Daniel Rodriguez pulled from Noche UFC fight after testing positive for ostarine in USADA trial

Collage Maker 18 Aug 2023 12 01 PM 8801Daniel Rodriguez has confirmed his removal from a scheduled return to the Octagon at Noche UFC next month against Santiago Ponzinibbio, after revealing he failed a in-competiton drug test administed by anti-doping agency, USADA, for the banned substance, ostarine. Rodriguez, a welterweight staple, most recently featured at UFC Nashville back in April, suffering a devastating […]

Collage Maker 18 Aug 2023 12 01 PM 8801

Daniel Rodriguez has confirmed his removal from a scheduled return to the Octagon at Noche UFC next month against Santiago Ponzinibbio, after revealing he failed a in-competiton drug test administed by anti-doping agency, USADA, for the banned substance, ostarine.

Rodriguez, a welterweight staple, most recently featured at UFC Nashville back in April, suffering a devastating first round high kick and strikes TKO loss to incoming UFC 292 main card festure, Ian Machado Garry.

Daniel Rodriguez confirms removal from Noche UFC

Seeing his matchup with Ponzinibbio now shelved for next month’s Noche UFC event, Rodriguez confirmed his positive drug test finding in a post on his official social media.

Following a communication from USADA today, I wanted to clarify the current situation to the media, my supporters, and everybody involved in the sport of mixed martial arts,” Daniel Rodriguez posted on his official Instagram account. 

“Today I was notified that an out-of-competition sample that I provided to USADA was positive for an extremely low level of Ostarine. First and foremost, I want to clarify I did not intentionally use Ostarine, nor have I ever knowingly used any prohibited substance in my career. I rarely take any form of supplements and have always strived to care for my body in the most natural ways.”

“I strongly believe that a supplement contaminant is the reason for my low-level positive, and am actively working with my manager, USADA, and The UFC on reviewing and testing the supplements I took prior to my test,” Daniel Rodriguez explained. “While I am extremely disappointed in this development and am now unable to fight on September 16th, I am looking forward to finding a definitive explanation for my low-level positive test and am ready to fully cooperate with the USADA.”

Noche UFC is currently scheduled to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 16., with an undisputed flyweight title rematch between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko slated to take main event honors. 

Nate Diaz comments on Conor McGregor’s USADA status: ‘They let him do sh*t whenever he wants’

Nate DiazOnce Nate Diaz closes the book on his professional boxing debut against Jake Paul on Saturday night, the Stockton Samurai is determined to make a return to the Octagon. Nate Diaz exited the promotion in September following a fourth-round submission win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Nearly a year later, Diaz will step into […]

Nate Diaz

Once Nate Diaz closes the book on his professional boxing debut against Jake Paul on Saturday night, the Stockton Samurai is determined to make a return to the Octagon.

Nate Diaz exited the promotion in September following a fourth-round submission win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Nearly a year later, Diaz will step into the squared circle for a showdown with ‘The Problem Child’ inside Dallas’ American Airlines Center. As for what will come following his scrap with Jake Paul, the TUF alumnus seems hell-bent on re-signing with the UFC to take care of some lingering business with Irish megastar Conor McGregor.

Diaz and McGregor went toe-to-toe on two separate occasions in 2016, with Diaz handing the Irishman his first loss inside the Octagon at UFC 196. Five months later, McGregor struck back, scoring a majority decision to even the series at 1-1. Seven years later, fans are still clamoring for the trilogy bout and both men seem intent on making it happen.

But to make that happen, Conor McGregor will finally have to bite the bullet and re-enter the USADA testing pool.

McGregor was originally scheduled to return in late 2023 for a showdown with former Bellator MMA champion Michael Chandler. Unfortunately, the Irishman has failed to make himself available for USADA testing, making his return before the end of the year unlikely.

Nate Diaz Hopes to See Conor McGregor Get Back in the Octagon and ‘Handle Some Sh*t’ Soon.

During a recent interview with Full Send, Nate Diaz spoke about McGregor’s status and admitted that he’s excited to see the former champ-champ get back into the Octagon.

“I’m ready to see him get back and do something cool too,” Diaz said. “I don’t know if that [Chandler] fight’s gonna happen, I don’t know…He’s not gonna fight, or is he? Maybe, and then they let him do sh*t whenever he wants. So it’d be cool if he got back in there though and handled some sh*t, that’d be tight. No one else – not a lot of people are doing much in there, so it’s cool when people do better sh*t, different sh*t” (h/t MMA News).

Despite the fact that he has not yet taken the necessary steps to return to the Octagon, Conor McGregor has remained active on social media, calling out every fighter who gains a little bit more clout for themselves. The most recent example came following Justin Gaethje’s incredible second-round head kick KO against Dustin Poirier at UFC 291. Before Gaethje could even strap the BMF title around his waist, McGregor’s thumbs were already hard at work, calling out the newly crowned baddest motherf*cker in mixed martial arts.

For the moment, Conor McGregor seems more interested in drinking, traveling, and trash-talking the men and women who actually step inside the Octagon, but a potential trilogy bout with Nate Diaz could very well be the one fight that truly gets the Irishman back inside the cage.

Conor McGregor has 48 hours to re-enter USADA testing pool before being ineligible to compete in 2023

Conor McGregorThe window for Conor McGregor to return in 2023 is closing rapidly. ‘The Irishman’ has insisted time and time again that he would be strapping on his four-ounce gloves for a scrap with ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler before the year comes to a close. That is now looking highly unlikely as, per a report from Verdict […]

Conor McGregor

The window for Conor McGregor to return in 2023 is closing rapidly.

‘The Irishman’ has insisted time and time again that he would be strapping on his four-ounce gloves for a scrap with ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler before the year comes to a close. That is now looking highly unlikely as, per a report from Verdict MMA, McGregor only has 48 hours before he would become ineligible to compete this year.

“Conor McGregor has 48 hours left to enter the USADA testing pool if he’s going to fight at UFC 296 which is the final PPV of the year, @VerdictMMA tweeted. “If he doesn’t enter 6 month testing pool by Friday, he will not be fighting in 2023 per the rules of USADA.”

During a media event in May, Conor McGregor suggested that he had resolved his issues with USADA and was on course for a 2023 return. “That’s done, my man,” McGregor said when asked about his status with USADA. “That’s done. Year-end, I’m back in that cage having competed. I’m gearing up ready to go.” Unfortunately, that no longer appears to be the case, and barring a borderline miracle, we likely won’t see the Irishman back inside the Octagon until next year.

Dana White No Longer Sounds Confident About Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler Happening in 2023

After suffering a nasty leg break in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier nearly two years ago, Conor McGregor has stayed in the limelight thanks to social media, taking fans on his journey through recovery and eventually getting back out into the world, making public appearances and living his best life.

McGregor was once again placed under the spotlight of mixed martial arts after the promotion revealed he would return to The Ultimate Fighter. Currently airing on ESPN, McGregor is coaching a team of UFC hopefuls against the man he intended to fight at the end of the year, Michael Chandler. Sadly, the highly anticipated fight is looking less and less likely with each passing day. Even Dana White has tempered expectations after months of certainty.

“The one thing you guys have to understand is this kid has so much money, it’s like Khabib now,” White said at a June 4 press event. “It’s like this guy has sh*t loads of money, and it’s hard to, you know, it’s hard to reel these guys back in and get them fired up to get in and fight,” said White.

Do you think there’s a chance we’ll see Conor McGregor compete in 2023?

USADA confirms Conor McGregor has begun process to re-Enter testing pool ‘Immediately’

Conor McGregorA representative for the United States Anti-Doping Agency confirmed that Conor McGregor will be re-entering the testing pool ahead of his highly anticipated return later this year. The Irishman is expected to make his first walk to the Octagon before 2023 comes to a close, squaring off against high-octane lightweight ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler. Before the […]

Conor McGregor

A representative for the United States Anti-Doping Agency confirmed that Conor McGregor will be re-entering the testing pool ahead of his highly anticipated return later this year.

The Irishman is expected to make his first walk to the Octagon before 2023 comes to a close, squaring off against high-octane lightweight ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler. Before the two men can meet in the cage, McGregor must subject himself to no less than six months of USADA screening. Many fans, and some fighters, have become skeptical in recent months as to whether or not the fight would actually happen given McGregor’s delayed re-entry.

On Friday, the former two-division champion quelled those concerns, revealing that he had already taken the steps to re-enter the testing pool.

“That’s done,” McGregor responded when asked about getting back into the UFC’s anti-doping program during a media scrum on Friday. “By year end, I’m back in that cage having competed. I’m gearing up now, ready to go.

Before returning to the Octagon, Conor McGregor will feature in the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, set to begin airing on May 30, as he coaches opposite his expected opponent. McGregor also stated that an official date for the matchup will be released once the newest season of TUF concludes this August.

“[The fight against] Michael Chandler, it will be announced during The Ultimate Fighter,” McGregor said. “The Ultimate Fighter is airing in a couple of days on ESPN, and by the time that show finishes, we’ll have a date and it will be set for the fans.”

USADA Confirms They Have Been in Contact with Conor McGregor

USADA issued a statement, confirming that they have had direct contact with Conor McGregor and are anticipating his paperwork to begin the process.

“We have recently been in direct contact with Conor McGregor, and as he confirmed today in the media, we expect to receive his paperwork coming out of retirement and re-entering the USADA testing pool immediately,” a USADA official wrote in the statement. “Like other athletes who come out of retirement, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, McGregor will be subject to testing for at least six months and must provide at least two negative samples before being permitted to compete.

“The purpose of this rule is to ensure that all athletes who are not subject to a period of testing are adequately tested over a reasonable period of time before competing to ensure a level playing field for all athletes.”

To be cleared for competition by USADA, Conor McGregor will need to undergo six months of testing during which he must provide at least two negative samples. By starting the process now, the earliest possible date for his return would be this November when the UFC returns to Madison Square Garden in NYC. No official details have been made regarding the event, but recent reports suggest that the promotion is targeting a UFC heavyweight title fight between reigning champion Jon Jones and general consensus heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic.

If Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler is added to the event, it would make for one of the biggest 1-2 punches in the promotion’s 30-year history.

Aljamain Sterling says USADA tester tried to get in the shower with him: ‘You wanna see my d*ck?’

Aljamain SterlingUFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling recently shared a story revealing just how invasive the United States Anti-Doping Agency can be. Fresh off his successful UFC 288 title defense against former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo, ‘Funk Master’ is set to make a quick turnaround, putting his bantamweight strap on the line once again. He’s scheduled to […]

Aljamain Sterling

UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling recently shared a story revealing just how invasive the United States Anti-Doping Agency can be.

Fresh off his successful UFC 288 title defense against former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo, ‘Funk Master’ is set to make a quick turnaround, putting his bantamweight strap on the line once again. He’s scheduled to face No. 2 ranked contender ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 when the promotion makes its long-awaited return to Boston. While discussing his upcoming contest on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Aljamain Sterling shared details surrounding an awkward experience with USADA ahead of his latest title defense.

“[USADA] sat in the shower with me,” Sterling said. “I was like ‘Dude, why do you need to watch me shower?’ It was the weirdest thing…This was before the fight, this is when I was in Vegas. I was at 10th Planet [Jiu-Jitsu]. And he said ‘I have to make sure you don’t pee.’”

Aljamain Sterling Was Far From Amused By USADA’s Awkward Invasion of Privacy

While there have been multiple stories regarding USADA’s untimely arrivals and thought-provoking practices, this is the first time we’ve heard about a representative trying to climb into a shower with a fighter while attempting to conduct business. Needless to say, Aljamain Sterling was not amused.

“He wasn’t even really like looking at me kind of thing. So I go – and I was irritated, because I just finished training, so my blood is already like – I’m a little bit on 10 right now. I kind of barked at him… And I was just like ‘Dude, you talking about you need to be in the f*cking shower with me? You’re not gonna watch me like you wanna see my f*cking d*ck? You wanna see my d*ck?’ This is how I’m getting. You’re in the shower with me, my personal space, my private space. My time. How are you gonna tell me or know what I’m doing?”

The UFC partnered with USADA in 2015, implementing the first independent anti-doping program in U.S. professional sports. USADA also operates as the official anti-doping agency for Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, and Parapan American sports in the U.S.A.

Dana White remains coy on whether Conor McGregor will receive exemption to make UFC return” ‘I don’t know’

Conor McGregor Dana White UFC ReturnDana White is staying out of the growing drama between Conor McGregor and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. ‘The Notorious’ is currently in the middle of filming the 31st season of the UFC’s popular reality series The Ultimate Fighter. Scheduled to air between May and August of this year, Conor McGregor is expected to return to […]

Conor McGregor Dana White UFC Return

Dana White is staying out of the growing drama between Conor McGregor and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

‘The Notorious’ is currently in the middle of filming the 31st season of the UFC’s popular reality series The Ultimate Fighter. Scheduled to air between May and August of this year, Conor McGregor is expected to return to the Octagon for a showdown with opposing coach ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler. However, McGregor is yet to re-enter the USADA testing pool and has since engaged in a war of words with the anti-doping agency after contradicting his social media comments.

Conor McGregor suggested on more than one occasion that he would be the recipient of an exemption that would allow him to provide two tests ahead of his return, leapfrogging the standard six-month testing requirement. USADA quickly disputed McGregor’s statement, revealing that ‘The Notorious’ would need to be in the testing pool for a minimum of six months, just like every other athlete.

Dana White Comments on Conor McGregor’s Status With USADA

Conor McGregor didn’t appreciate the agency speaking out and contradicting his statement. In true McGregor fashion, the former two-division UFC titleholder went on a Twitter rant.

“Usada is going in the bin,” McGregor wrote in tweets that have since been deleted. “This is my issue. I’ve not lied once. Nor have I tested positive. Ever. I have over 70 clean tests under this program, yet they are consistently coming out after I speak in a manner that makes it seem I am lying. It’s ridiculous. F—k [USADA]. You are in The Bin.“

Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday’s UFC 286 pay-per-view at the O2 Arena, Dana White was asked bout McGregor’s status with USADA and if he could potentially receive an exemption.

“I have no idea,” White quickly replied. “I don’t pay any attention to that sh*t,” White admitted. “That’s not my job anymore and I’m happy to be out of it. Talk to USADA, I have no idea. I want nothing to do with the whole drug-testing side of this business. It’s a f*cking nightmare.“

USADA has confirmed that as of now, McGregor has not re-entered the testing pool, nor has he contacted the agency to inform them of his intent to come out of retirement. If ‘The Notorious’ makes himself available for testing immediately, his earliest potential return date would be mid-September. That is right around the timeline Michael Chandler was expecting to meet the Irishman inside the Octagon, but the longer McGregor fights with USADA, the less likely it is that he will be back inside the Octagon before the end of the year.