Tag: USADA

Conor McGregor calls for USADA to be disbanded in Twitter outburst: ‘It’s going in the bin’

Conor McGregor USADA in the bin UFC returnFormer two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has called for anti-doping agency, USADA to be thrown “in the bin” ahead of his impending Octagon return – after the organization denied that the Dubliner could return to active competition with just two negative drug tests, and could skirt a period of six months in their testing pool.  […]

Conor McGregor USADA in the bin UFC return

Former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has called for anti-doping agency, USADA to be thrown “in the bin” ahead of his impending Octagon return – after the organization denied that the Dubliner could return to active competition with just two negative drug tests, and could skirt a period of six months in their testing pool. 

McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion, has been sidelined since July 2021, headlining UFC 264 against former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier.

Suffering a fractured left tibia and fibula in the opening round of his headliner with Lafayette native, McGregor, who has not been drug tested by USADA since the third quarter of that year – has yet to return to active competition since then. 

Wrapping up filming on The Ultimate Fighter 31 earlier this month in which he features as an opposing coach on the show against lightweight contender, Michael Chandler – McGregor, who is expected to fight the latter in the latter months of this year, recently claimed that all he needed was two negative tests submitted to USADA, before he was then eligible to return to competition. 

However, the anti-doping agency claimed that it would also need McGregor – and any other returning athletes who have left the pool, to return to the pool for a period of six months before they would be eligible to fight under the UFC banner.

Conor McGregor hits out at USADA ahead of his impending UFC return

Reacting to the statement issued by USADA, McGregor blasted the organization in a series of tweets from his official Twitter account.

“USADA is going in the bin,” Conor McGregor tweeted.

“This is my issue. I’ve not lied once,” Conor McGregor tweeted. “Nor have I tested positive, ever. I have over 70 clean tests under the program, yet they are consistently coming out after I speak in a manner that makes it seem I am lying. It’s ridiculous. F*ck [USADA]. You are in the bin.”

“Over 70 clean tests, never violated once,” Conor McGregor tweeted. “I will not be scapegoated by this garbage organization. You are not the be all end all in this equation USADA.”

“Oh, USADA,” Conor McGregor sang to the tune of Mandy by Barry Manilow.” You came and you gave without taking, but I sent you away. Oh, USADA. You’re in the bin, yeah.” 

Dan Hooker Claims He’s Had Increased USADA Visits Since Accusation Against Islam Makhachev

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker recently claimed that he’s been receiving increased visits from USADA since he accused Islam Makhachev of ‘cheating’ prior to his win over Alexander Volkanovski. While the UFC 284 pay-per-view in Perth, Aust…

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker recently claimed that he’s been receiving increased visits from USADA since he accused Islam Makhachev of ‘cheating’ prior to his win over Alexander Volkanovski. While the UFC 284 pay-per-view in Perth, Australia, last month concluded with a headliner that was widely praised for its entertaining and enthralling nature, the discussion since…

Continue Reading Dan Hooker Claims He’s Had Increased USADA Visits Since Accusation Against Islam Makhachev at MMA News.

Chael Sonnen had ‘more juice than Tropicana’ in UFC 159 fight with Jon Jones, says Jones was also using PEDs

Chael SonnenChael Sonnen has no doubt that Jon Jones was juiced up when the two clashed for the UFC light heavyweight championship in 2013. Many fans consider Jon Jones to be the greatest fighter in the history of mixed martial arts. However, there are plenty of detractors that believe Jones’ claim to GOAT status is null […]

Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen has no doubt that Jon Jones was juiced up when the two clashed for the UFC light heavyweight championship in 2013.

Many fans consider Jon Jones to be the greatest fighter in the history of mixed martial arts. However, there are plenty of detractors that believe Jones’ claim to GOAT status is null and void due to multiple banned substance violations over the years. Recently, Jones suggested that positive USADA tests in 2016 and 2017 should be expunged after recent updates to the testing agency’s protocols would make Jones’ infractions no longer illegal.

There is certainly a debate to be had there, but during an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Chael Sonnen openly accused Jon Jones of being on the juice during their UFC 159 showdown. Reminiscing about his main event matchup with Jones just days before ‘Bones’ makes his long-awaited return at UFC 285 on Saturday, Sonnen gave an emphatic “no” when Helwani asked if he believes Jones was clean during their encounter.

“No. Heavens no. Oh my God. We know our own. I could tell, very easily. It would be the body. It would start with your delts, it would go to your nipples, then it would be the upper abs or the three big tells.”

Chael Sonnen is Open About His Own History of PED Usage

Chael Sonnen is no stranger to PED usage, having been flagged on multiple occasions himself. Following his August 2010 loss to Anderson Silva, it was revealed that Sonnen had an unallowably high testosterone ratio. At the time, UFC athletes were allowed to undergo testosterone replacement therapy that would allow them to have a testosterone ratio of 4:1. Sonnen’s was nearly 17 times higher than the allowed limit. His blatant misuse of the TRT exemption resulted in the outright ban of TRT for all fighters.

Continuing to discuss his fight with Jones, Chael Sonnen openly admitted that he went into the bout using performance enhancers himself and knew the tells to determine ‘Bones’ had been doing the same ahead of the fight.

“I had more juice than Tropicana and he pushed me around like a Mack truck versus a Volvo. As soon as we locked up with each other, as he’s pushing me backward before he comes with his big spinning elbow, I remember thinking, ‘I know your secret because I got the same one.’”

Sonnen also explained that using banned substances was much easier during that time. Before USADA was implemented, fighters were made aware of when they would be tested, allowing them to cycle their usage in order to test clean and then resume using their PED of choice.

“They tested but back then it was an IQ test, not a drug test because we didn’t have USADA so they had to tell us when they would come in and test.”

Ariel Helwani: ‘USADA’s Reputation Is At Stake After Accusation Against Islam Makhachev’

Longtime mixed martial arts journalist Ariel Helwani believes the “spotlight” is on the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) following Dan Hooker’s recent accusation against Islam Makhachev. This past weekend, Hooker was one of ma…

Longtime mixed martial arts journalist Ariel Helwani believes the “spotlight” is on the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) following Dan Hooker’s recent accusation against Islam Makhachev. This past weekend, Hooker was one of many friends, family members, and teammates in attendance at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, hoping to see Alexander Volkanovski achieve championship…

Continue Reading Ariel Helwani: ‘USADA’s Reputation Is At Stake After Accusation Against Islam Makhachev’ at MMA News.

Olympic athlete and UFC newcomer Hamdy Abdelwahab handed two-year suspension by USADA

hamdy abdelwahabEgyptian mixed martial artist Hamdy Abdelwahab was recently handed a two-year suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Administration (USADA) for two failed drug tests (pre-fight and post-fight) where he tested positive for methenolone, and he was also caught potentially tampering with the test. As a result, Hamdy Abdelwahab’s split decision victory over Don’Tale Mayes in […]

hamdy abdelwahab

Egyptian mixed martial artist Hamdy Abdelwahab was recently handed a two-year suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Administration (USADA) for two failed drug tests (pre-fight and post-fight) where he tested positive for methenolone, and he was also caught potentially tampering with the test.

As a result, Hamdy Abdelwahab’s split decision victory over Don’Tale Mayes in his UFC debut has been overturned to a no contest, bringing his record from 6-0 to 5-0 (1 NC).

USADA made the following announcement regarding the situation:

“Abdelwahab did not declare the use of methenolone on his onboarding declaration forms and did not establish a compelling justification for his failure to do so. Based on USADA’s investigation, it was determined that Abdelwahab used the prohibited substance and knew of his obligation to declare it.

“The evidence constitutes a tampering violation in addition to the violation for his positive test for methenolone.”

Along with his two-year suspension, Abdelwahab will also be investigated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR) for tampering with test results.

TDLR also made a statement following the positive test result:

“When a combative sports contestant in Texas tests positive for a banned substance, we place them on a 90-day suspension. If the contestant won the bout, we list the bout as ‘No Decision.’ We can also pursue an administrative penalty and a monetary penalty could also be issued against the contestant. This case has been referred to our Enforcement Division for further investigation.”

Leading up to his UFC debut in July of 2022, Hamdy Abdelwahab was 5-0 as a professional, having secured all five wins via knockout (all five wins under Jorge Masvidal promotions, Jorge Masvidal’s iKon FC & Gamebred Fighting Championships).

Abdelwahab is also a very accomplished Greco-Roman wrestler, having placed second in the Youth Olympic Games in 2010, as well as placing first in the Africa & Oceana Olympic Qualification Tournament.

Now the 30 year old will have to wait until he’s at least 32 years of age to compete again.

What will the heavyweight division even look like at the time Hamdy Abdelwahab is eligible to return?

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Colby Covington celebrates 50 clean USADA tests milestone, UFC responds with praise

Colby CovingtonColby Covington is celebrating a special milestone today as it’s been announced by the UFC that he’s now passed 50 drug tests from the United States Anti-Doping Agency, formally known as USADA. The intense ‘Chaos’ Covington has always had a way with words, and his performances in the cage might have left some suspicious of […]

Colby Covington

Colby Covington is celebrating a special milestone today as it’s been announced by the UFC that he’s now passed 50 drug tests from the United States Anti-Doping Agency, formally known as USADA.

The intense ‘Chaos’ Covington has always had a way with words, and his performances in the cage might have left some suspicious of his abstinence from PEDs, but his actions have done the talking as far as his clean record with USADA goes.

With 52 clean tests to his name, it seems the sky is the limit for Colby Covington, and it’s apparent that he does not rely on any PEDs to enhance his skills and physicality in the cage.

Colby Covington praised by UFC for 50 clean tests

Starting in 2015, Colby Covington has aced every USADA test he’s ever taken. He passed one the first year of the UFC’s partnership with USADA, and followed that up with four in 2016. The years 2017, 2018, and 2019 would see him pass five, eight, and twelve respectively. While the years of 2020, 2021, and 2022 would see him pass six, seven, and nine.

The UFC would honor Colby Covington with a Twitter post to celebrate his surpassing of the 50 clean tests milestone. “Congratulations to @ColbyCovMMA for his 50th clean test under the USADA program,” the post read.

12-3 in the UFC, and 17-3 in his pro career, Colby Covington has been very dominant in his time with the world’s premier organization that is the UFC. He last saw UFC action in March of 2022 where he squared off with friend-turned-foe Jorge Masvidal. Covington would exit the cage the victor that night, executing what was a very concise game-plan to nab him the clear-cut decision victory.

Who do you want to see Colby Covington face when he returns to UFC action in 2023?