In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear that the UFC’s anti-doping partner, USADA, was going to have to adapt. The organization announced a cutback on the number of tests they would be performing across all sports, focusing instead on “mission-critical testing of athletes in sports still competing.”
To go with that move, the organization also appears to have halted the updating of their current testing numbers, so as to “ensure the testing process remains a viable deterrent.” Basically, if people knew how little testing they were actually doing, they might start cheating.
Still, with the UFC now preparing to launch back into their 2020 event calendar – starting with three events in one week, in Jacksonville, FL – USADA has made it clear that they will still be a strong part of the MMA promotion’s regulatory process.