UFC Announces New Anti-Doping Program with George Piro as Head

The UFC held a news conference on Thursday announcing their new anti-doping program, which will be led by George Piro. The program aims to be the best in class and will implement technology to simplify the sample collection process for fighters.

In response to a statement released by USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart, Hunter Campbell and Jeff Novitzky from the UFC defended former champion Conor McGregor and criticized USADA. They expressed their determination to develop a more comprehensive program that protects fighters’ rights while ensuring a clean and fair Octagon.

The UFC’s new anti-doping program will commence on January 1, following the expiration of their contract with USADA on December 31. The collection of doping samples will be handled by Drug Free Sport International, which is used by other major sports organizations such as the NFL, NBA, and MLB.

Additionally, Dr. Daniel Eichner from the Sports Medicine Research & Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) will serve as the new science director. The UFC officials highlighted the success of their previous program, with over 30,000 individual tests and a less than 1 percent positivity rate for banned substances.

There was strong criticism of USADA in regards to their comments on Conor McGregor. The UFC officials accused USADA of failing to make technological advances and resisting procedural changes. They specifically mentioned USADA’s lack of an app for fighters to declare their whereabouts, as well as the difficulties faced during the sample collection process.

Despite the transition to a new anti-doping program, McGregor will still be required to abide by the six-month rule, meaning he will not be eligible to fight until April 8, 2024. The UFC officials emphasized their commitment to a fair and level playing field for all fighters.

The UFC’s new program aims to address concerns raised by fighters in the past, such as early morning sample collections and unwelcome interruptions during weight-cutting. The program will increase testing for EPO and implement Growth Hormone Releasing Sample on every collected sample.

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Sarah Foster

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