USADA/McGregor situation not a good look
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MMA reporter Ariel Helwani has opined on USADA’s lack of testing on Conor McGregor in 2022, describing him as “not very good looking”.
Each year, UFC athletes are tested by the United States Anti-Doping Agency. Eligible fighters include anyone signed up to the testing pool, which has even seen inactive names like Travis Browne and John Hathaway visit USADA agents in 2022. This year, every fighter has been tested — except one. .
In a notable omission, former two-division champion McGregor is the only fighter (apart from a few recent signings) not to have been tested so far in 2022. The revelation was reported by TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, who has crossed the entire list with USADA. test history database.
McGregor has not appeared in the Octagon since UFC 264 last July. In the main event, the Irishman suffered a horrific broken leg against Dustin Poirier.
But despite being sidelined with a long-term injury, testing would still have been expected, especially as Chris Weidman – who himself broke his leg three months previously – has been tested four times.
That said, a number of fans and pundits have expressed their suspicions over McGregor’s abandonment of the tests, including longtime journalist Ariel Helwani.
Helwani: Lack of McGregor tests ‘seems risky’
During the Q&A section of a recent episode of MMA hourHelwani was asked to comment on the McGregor-USADA revelation.
After noting his confusion that inactive veterans are still being tested, the Canadian suggested the former lightweight and featherweight king’s year without a test is a worrying look for the anti-doping agency.
“It definitely seems risky. I don’t understand why the Travis Brownes of the world would be tested at this point, it makes no sense to me,” Helwani said. “Not a great look. But I felt from the start that USADA was mired in all sorts of holes, if you will. It felt like the goal posts were always moved, whether it was for Brock (Lesnar ), whether for Jon Jones.
“When was the last event that was affected by a USADA suspension? We saw several early on. When’s the last time that happened? Isn’t that a little weird? What’s the last big name we saw popping up? Is everyone clean all of a sudden? I find it hard to believe,” Helwani added. “Obviously a clean sport is paramount…but I hate that fighters have never had a say in the matter.”
The report also came at a time when McGregor is beginning to regain the intensity of his training and fighting ahead of what appears to be a likely 2023 return.
It’s also not Helwani’s first issue with USADA, which has been recognized as the UFC’s official independent anti-doping agency since 2015. The 40-year-old has previously criticized the whereabouts policy of the UFC. organization, which requires athletes to update an application. with their location at all times.
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